Chapter 194
Marcus’s Pov
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Elara looked like she wanted to argue but Dante cut in. “He’s right. We can have plainclothes officers in unmarked cars positioned at strategic locations. They won’t approach unless things go bad, but they’ll be there if we need them.”
“And if Julius sees them?”
“He won’t. Detective Rivera has people who specialize in surveillance. They’ll blend in.”
Elara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Okay. Okay. We do it your way. But the second I think Julius knows they’re there, the cops pull back. My children’s lives are more important than catching him.”
Marcus pulled out his phone and called Detective Rivera. It was barely six AM but the detective answered on the second ring like he’d been waiting for this call.
“Mr. Thorne. Tell me you have news.”
“We know who took the twins. Julius Wellington, Aurora’s brother. He just sent ransom instructions for a drop at Pier 76 at two PM today.”
“Did he provide proof of life?”
“A photo and we heard them crying over the phone. They’re alive as of an hour ago.”
“And he wants Mrs. Thorne to make the drop alone?”
“Yes. But there’s no way in hell I’m letting that happen without backup.”
Detective Rivera was quiet for a moment. “If he’s watching the pier and sees police presence, he’ll abort. We could lose our only chance to get the children back.”
“I know. Which is why I need your best surveillance team. People who can disappear into crowds and maintain visuals without being detected.”
“I can do that. What time do you need them in position?”
“By noon. I want eyes on that pier for two hours before the drop. If Julius is setting up early, I want to know.”
“Consider it done. But Mr. Thorne, I need you to understand something. If this goes bad, if Julius grabs your wife or tries to leave without giving up the children, my people will intervene. I’m not going to let him hurt anyone else.”
“Agreed. Just make sure your people are good enough that Julius never sees them coming.”
Marcus hung up and turned back to Elara. She was loading the handgun with practiced efficiency, checking the safety, making sure it was ready.
17:13 Mon, May 11 M…
Chapter 194
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Marcus forwarded the text to Detective Rivera and called him immediately. “Pull your people out Now. He
made them.”
“Mr. Thorne, if we pull out your wife has zero protection—”
“And if you don’t, Julius kills her and the twins! Pull them the fuck out, now!”
Marcus watched through binoculars as the “tourists” and “vendors” around Pier 76 started dispersing. Too casual, too coordinated. Julius would see right through it.
His phone rang. Elara.
“Marcus, what’s happening? Why are the police leaving?”
“Julius made them. He threatened to kill you if they didn’t pull back.”
“Oh God. Oh God, what do I do?”
“You turn around and come home. We’ll figure out another way.”
“There is no other way! If I don’t go through with this he’ll kill them!”
Elara’s car pulled into the Pier 76 parking lot. Marcus could see her through the binoculars, sitting in the driver’s seat with the duffel bag beside her.
She got out of the car.
Picked up the bag and started walking toward the pier.
And the pier was completely empty.
Julius wasn’t there neither were the babies.
“It’s a trap,” Marcus said. “El, get out of there. It’s a trap!”
But Elara kept walking, the duffel bag heavy in her hands, walking to the end of an empty pier toward nothing.
17:13 Mon, May 11 M
