Chapter 6 - The Perimeter Closes
Before the sound of Emily’s command had even faded from the sunroom, the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the lakeside property dissolved into absolute chaos.
From the wooded driveway leading up to the lake house, the low, thunderous roar of high-displacement V8 engines echoed through the timber trees. Three dark matte-black military transport SUVs tore around the gravel curve, their tires spraying stone against the landscaped gardens as they slid to an abrupt stop across the front lawn, blocking every civilian vehicle parked in the driveway.
Simultaneously, out on Lake Sunapee, the high-pitched whine of twin-engine tactical watercraft echoed across the water. Two dark gray US Army Special Forces rigid-inflatable boats rounded the point near the dock, cutting through the wake, their mounted searchlights locking directly onto the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the living room.
The VIP guests screamed in terror as eight heavily armed, uniformed Military Police officers poured out of the SUVs, breaching the front entryway with tactical rifles held at low-ready, their boots pounding against the hardwood floor.
"NOBODY MOVE! MILITARY POLICE! STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" the lead MP commander shouted, his voice booming off the vaulted ceiling.
The investors dropped their champagne glasses, dropping to their knees on the rug with their hands raised over their heads, their children crying hysterically beside them.
The MP commander, a stone-faced Captain wearing tactical body armor, strode directly up to Emily, coming to an immediate, crisp attention and executing a perfect hand salute.
"Colonel Carter, ma'am! The perimeter is secure. No civilian vessels or vehicles will leave this property without your express authorization."
Emily returned the salute with sharp, effortless precision. "Thank you, Captain Vance. Secure the room. Arrest that man on the floor for treasonous fraud, identity theft of an active-duty military officer, and grand larceny."
"Yes, ma'am!" Captain Vance barked, waving two armed officers forward.
The MPs grabbed Ryan by his shoulders, hauling him off the floor despite his blood-soaked screams of agony, pinning his arms behind his back, and slamming heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists.
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"Jessica!" Ryan shrieked, his broken jaw slurring his words into a horrific mess of blood and panic. "Call the lawyer! Call Vance! Tell him to execute the secondary transfer!"
Emily turned her head instantly toward her sister. "Secondary transfer? What secondary transfer, Jessica?"
