" Nia crawled to another window, staying below the sill. Across the street, she glimpsed a dark figure disappearing between houses as investigators and federal agents sprinted after them. Car engines roared to life, tires squealing as vehicles peeled away. "Everyone stay down, " Judge Price ordered, her voice steady despite the chaos. "They're trying to destroy video evidence.
" Daniel pulled out his phone, rapidly texting commands. I'm calling in additional federal support, but this confirms what I feared. The conspiracy reaches beyond Larkin and the sheriff's office. They have resources, coordination, and they're moving faster than official channels can respond. Outside, agents secured the perimeter while state police blocked off surrounding streets.
Neighbors huddled behind cars and porches, their phones still recording despite the threat. Mrs. Patterson stood defiantly beside her destroyed camera, describing the shooter to investigators while other residents backed up her account. We need to get to that storage locker, Daniel said urgently. Whatever your father hid there, they'll be looking for it, too. And they just proved they're willing to use lethal force in broad daylight.
Nia gathered the items from the compartment, wrapping them carefully. The sun was lower now, casting orange light across the study's walls. Soon darkness would give their enemies more advantages. Tessa, grab your backup drives and go bag, she instructed. Judge Price, can you coordinate with the neighbors?
Make sure everyone's footage is secured and distributed. Already on it, Evelyn assured her. I'll have copies spread across every church computer and veterans group in the county by nightfall. No one's erasing what happened here today. We should move now, Daniel urged, checking his weapon.
Use the chaos as cover while investigators have the area locked down. I have a secure vehicle two blocks over. Nia took a final look at her father's study at the violated panel that had protected his secrets for so long. The home that had witnessed today's siege would have to wait. There were bigger battles ahead.
"Let's go, " she said, leading Tessa toward the back stairs. "Time to find out what else my father left behind. The storage facilities concrete walls radiated afternoon heat as Daniel pulled into the gravel lot. Chainlink fencing topped with razor wire surrounded the property and security cameras tracked their movement from metal poles. The place looked deserted except for a board attendant scrolling on his phone in the air conditioned office.
Stay alert, Daniel said, shifting into park. They'll be checking facilities like this once they realize we left the house. He handed Nia a key. Unit 47B is in the back corner. Your father arranged access for both of us years ago.
Nia studied the key, its brass surface worn from years of waiting. You knew about this place the whole time. I knew he had contingencies, Daniel admitted. But not the specifics. Your father was careful about compartmentalizing information, especially after things went bad.
They walked down the rows of identical orange doors, gravel crunching under their feet. The sun beat down mercilessly. Tessa kept her phone ready, documenting everything while scanning for threats. Unit 47B looked like all the others. Weathered paint, heavy padlock, rollup door.
Nia inserted the key with steady hands. The lock clicked open. Daniel helped her lift the door, metal rattling on metal. Stale air wafted out. The space inside was cramped, but meticulously organized.