Chapter 6 - The Parking Lot Attack
Police arrived after the estate reported an armed intruder.
Rachel surrendered immediately.
She knew arguing inside a confused crowd would make her appear dangerous.
Evan told officers Rachel suffered from delusions related to overseas trauma.
Richard supported him.
“She has always been troubled.”
Linda cried but said nothing.
Jessica stood beside her new husband.
Rachel looked at her.
“Tell them about the basement.”
Jessica’s lips parted.
Evan tightened one hand around her waist.
“There was no basement,” Jessica said.
Rachel understood.
Evan had threatened their father.
Jessica believed lying would protect him.
An officer began searching Rachel.
Before he reached the hidden drive, every exterior light went dark.
A black SUV accelerated through the parking area.
Rachel saw the driver’s face.
The guard from the basement.
The vehicle turned directly toward Jessica.
Rachel broke from the officer’s grip and ran.
She struck Jessica from the side, pushing her out of the SUV’s path.
The vehicle hit Rachel instead.
Not head-on.
The side mirror and front corner threw her across the pavement.
The SUV escaped through the service gate.
Jessica landed safely on the grass.
Rachel could not move her right leg.
Blood filled her mouth.
Evan rushed forward, pretending concern.
“He attacked her and fled,” he told police.
Rachel gripped his sleeve.
“You ordered it.”
He smiled where no one else could see.
“You should have stayed missing.”
Paramedics transported Rachel and Jessica to the nearest emergency ward.
Evan followed.
So did both families.
Congressman Voss vanished before police could question him.
Rachel knew the drive was still inside her vest.
She also knew Meridian would make another attempt before federal support arrived.
That was why she needed the Black Echo beacon.
But activating it would expose everything.
Her identity.
May you like
Her mission.
And the truth her family had never been permitted to know.
