Chapter 16 - Allison Walked Into the Trap
We found her phone beside the Charles River.
That was the first bad sign.
The second was the blood.
Only a few drops stained the pavement near the Longfellow Bridge, but forensic testing confirmed it belonged to Allison.
Julian ordered every Vanguard surveillance analyst available onto the search.
Boston police issued a kidnapping alert.
Federal agents pulled traffic cameras.
I stood inside the command center watching a map fill with vehicle movements.
One black Mercedes appeared repeatedly.
No registered plates.
No toll record.
No driver identification.
It disappeared near an abandoned marine warehouse in Charlestown.
Marcus pointed at the screen.
“Vale owns the land through a subsidiary.”
“Then we go.”
Pierce blocked the door.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“My sister is inside.”
“You are a federal director, not a tactical officer.”
“She went there because of me.”
“She went there because she made a reckless decision.”
That sounded cruel.
It was also true.
Julian placed his hand against my back.
“Let Marcus handle entry.”
I turned on him.
“You expect me to sit here?”
“I expect you to stay alive.”
Before I could answer, a video call appeared on the main screen.
Adrian Vale.
He was silver-haired, elegant, and seated in a leather chair.
Behind him stood Allison.
Her lower lip was bleeding.
Her wrists were bound.
“Meredith,” she whispered.
Every person in the command center went silent.
Vale smiled.
“Director Campbell-Sterling.”
“You hurt her.”
“She tried to hit one of my employees with a champagne bottle.”
Despite everything, that sounded exactly like Allison.
“I told you I’d come voluntarily!” she shouted.
“And I told you to be quiet.”
Vale slapped her.
Julian moved so suddenly Marcus grabbed his arm.
I didn't move.
I wouldn't give Vale the reaction he wanted.
“What do you want?”
“Project Meridian and the contents of Robert’s deposit box.”
“You know I can't give you Meridian.”
“You can.”
“I won't.”
Allison stared at me.
For one terrible second, fear crossed her face.
Then something changed.
She straightened.
“Don't give him anything.”
Vale looked back at her.
She continued.
“Meredith, don't you dare.”
My throat tightened.
Six months earlier, Allison had demanded I save her wedding.
Now she was telling me not to save her life at the cost of others.
Vale smiled thinly.
“Family growth. Touching.”
“You're losing,” I told him.
His smile vanished.
“That’s why you’re improvising.”
Julian looked at me sharply.
I continued.
“You threatened Robert because he kept evidence. You targeted Allison because you couldn't reach me. You planted Vance’s name because you needed us divided.”
Vale’s eyes narrowed.
“You aren't controlling events anymore.”
He leaned toward the camera.
“Come to Pier Seven at midnight. Bring the drives.”
“And if I don't?”
“You’ll receive your sister in pieces.”
The call ended.
Nobody spoke.
Pierce finally said, “You cannot go.”
“I know.”
Everyone looked surprised.
I turned toward Marcus.
“He expects me to disobey you.”
Marcus slowly smiled.
“And he expects Julian to bring private security.”
Julian understood.
“So we give him exactly that picture.”
For the next four hours, we built the lie.
At 11:53 p.m., Julian’s convoy drove toward Pier Seven with three armored SUVs.
I sat visibly in the rear passenger seat.
Cameras would see me.
Vale’s people would see me.
What they wouldn't see was that the flash drives in my briefcase were fake.
And they wouldn't see the Coast Guard tactical unit approaching through the harbor without running lights.
Or the federal teams entering the warehouse district through storm tunnels.
Or Allison’s own hidden contribution.
Because during the video call, she had tapped her bound fingers against the chair.
Three.
One.
Four.
Three numbers, repeated.
I recognized them from childhood.
Allison used to tap room numbers when we hid from Robert during his drunken rages.
Warehouse bay 314.
My sister wasn't waiting to be rescued.
May you like
She was helping us find her.
For the first time in our lives, Allison and I were fighting on the same side.
