Chapter 5

At two in the morning, the motorcade idled outside the wrought-iron gates of the Ferguson estate in McLean, Virginia.

Two massive, armored Secret Service SUVs bracketed Eloise's car. The neighborhood was dead silent, the sprawling mansions hidden behind high walls and manicured hedges.

Siobhan rolled down her window and pressed the intercom button on the stone pillar.

Static crackled. "State your business," a voice droned. It was Leland Fletcher, the estate's head butler. His tone was dripping with rehearsed arrogance.

"Open the gates, Leland. Miss Eloise is home," Siobhan demanded.

"Ah. Siobhan," Leland replied, his voice oozing fake sympathy. "I'm afraid the Senator and Mrs. Ferguson have retired for the night. The main gate's electronic system is down for maintenance. You'll have to drive around to the service entrance by the dumpsters. I'll have a maid let you in."

Siobhan's face turned red. Her hands gripped the steering wheel. "You son of a bitch, you know she can't walk through the mud in the back-"

Eloise sat in the dark backseat. She didn't feel anger. She felt a cold, clinical anticipation. She pressed a button, rolling down her window. The freezing air rushed in.

She didn't speak to the intercom. She simply looked at the lead SUV.

The driver's side door of the armored vehicle swung open. Agent Alastair Kingston stepped out. His heavy boots crunched against the asphalt. He walked with the terrifying, measured pace of a predator.

He bypassed Siobhan's car and walked directly to the intercom pillar. He didn't press the button. He looked straight up into the infrared security camera mounted on the stone.

He reached into his jacket, pulled out his gold Secret Service badge, and slammed it flat against the glass lens of the camera.

"This is Special Agent Kingston, United States Secret Service," Alastair barked, his voice echoing loudly in the quiet street. "Open this gate in five seconds, or I will consider your refusal a federal security threat and breach the perimeter."

Inside the security booth, Leland dropped his coffee mug. It shattered on the floor. "Wait, wait! This is private property-"

Alastair didn't wait. He raised his hand in a sharp, tactical gesture. The two massive Secret Service SUVs surged forward, their heavy reinforced steel bumpers slamming directly into the wrought-iron gates with a deafening metallic screech. The vehicles didn't back down; their engines roared, tires smoking against the asphalt as they physically bowed the metal inward, threatening to tear the entire structure from its stone hinges.

"This is your final warning," The sound transmission system of the manor's intercom system, low and lethally calm. "Any further delay will be classified as a federal obstruction of a presidential detail. Open the gates, or we will breach."

The silent, terrifying display of raw federal power was infinitely more effective than any siren. Dogs in neighboring estates began to howl. Floodlights across the Ferguson property snapped on, bathing the lawn in harsh white light.

Panic erupted on the other side of the gate. Security guards sprinted out of their booths, waving their hands frantically, terrified that the federal agents were about to run them over.

The heavy wrought-iron gates groaned and began to slide open at maximum speed.

Alastair lowered his hand. The sirens cut off, leaving a ringing silence in their wake. The red and blue lights continued to flash silently, painting the driveway in violent colors. He put his badge away and walked back to his vehicle.

The motorcade surged forward. They didn't take the service road. The heavy tires chewed up the pristine gravel of the main driveway, pulling up right to the steps of the grand portico.

The massive oak doors of the manor flew open.

Senator Marcus Ferguson stormed out, tying the belt of his silk robe. His face was purple with rage. Behind him, Idella Ferguson clutched her pearls, her face pale. Cortez, Eloise's older brother, stood behind them, looking furious. Peeking out from behind Cortez was Jaylene, her cousin, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders and playing the terrified victim.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Marcus roared, his voice cracking. "Who authorized sirens on my property?!"

The doors of the SUVs opened simultaneously. Four Secret Service agents stepped out, their hands resting on their belts, their stances wide and tactical. The physical intimidation was absolute.

Alastair walked to Eloise's car. He opened the rear door and held out a hand.

Eloise stepped out into the flashing red and blue lights. She stood tall, ignoring the pain in her ankle, and looked up at her family. The look on their faces was worth every second of the pain.