Chapter 3 - The Aspen Flight
The encrypted laptop hummed softly on Julian Graham’s heavy walnut desk. On the screen, a tiny glowing icon representing a Gulfstream G450 crept eastward from runway 23 at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, climbing through the turbulent snow clouds.
Flight records filed with the FAA showed the aircraft heading south toward Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. But Hannah’s monitor displayed the transponder’s real-time telemetry, tapped via a private aviation consultant Julie had retained. The jet had already banked sharp west, leveling off at thirty-eight thousand feet, steering directly toward Aspen, Colorado.
Hannah zoomed in on the passenger manifest uploaded to the private hangar’s discreet handling portal. There were two names: Derek Harper and Alexis Warren. Catering notes requested vintage Dom Pérignon, beluga caviar, and two dozen white orchids waiting in the cabin.
Hannah looked down at her swollen belly. Under her thin wool sweater, her unborn son kicked fiercely against her ribs. She placed her fingers against the spot, feeling the warmth of life fighting to emerge.
“Hold on just a little longer, baby,” she whispered aloud into the quiet room. “We’re almost free.”
She picked up the encrypted satellite phone and hit speed dial. Julie Nelson answered on the first ring.
“He just cleared airspace over Cleveland,” Hannah said, her voice dropping into a register of icy, absolute calm. “He’s committed. He’s out of jurisdiction for the next four hours.”
“I’m looking at the tracker right now,” Julie replied, her breath tight over the receiver. “Hannah, the moment I upload these documents to the New York State Supreme Court emergency docket, Derek’s corporate privileges are revoked instantly. But you need to understand: the Harper family has roots that run deep into the local docks and private security firms. His uncle Gary Harper is sitting in his mansion on Grand Island. If Gary gets wind of the filings before morning, he could send men to Cedar Point.”
“Gary Harper only cares about money,” Hannah answered coldly. “He’s a vulture, not a protector. When Gary sees Derek’s assets frozen, he won’t defend Derek; he’ll try to salvage himself. File everything, Julie. The emergency ex-parte motions. The complete freezing of the trust accounts. The suspension of Derek’s CEO status under the emergency fiduciary clauses. And file the federal criminal complaint with the Special Prosecutions Bureau.”
“Done,” Julie said. Hannah could hear the sharp clack of keys on the other end of the line. “By midnight, every corporate credit card in his wallet will decline. By 2:00 AM, the FAA will flag his aircraft’s registration for unauthorized corporate asset utilization. And by sunrise, Derek Harper won’t own so much as the boots on his feet.”
Hannah closed her eyes. “What about the Cedar Point deed?”
“Your grandfather’s original trust document remains completely untouchable,” Julie affirmed. “Derek spent ten years trying to get you to sign the deed over to Harper Holdings, but you never did. Cedar Point belongs one hundred percent to you, Aubrey, and your unborn child. Legally, Derek is a trespasser on that land the second the judge stamps the injunction.”
“Then stamp it,” Hannah said.
She hung up the phone. Outside, the blizzard howled against the heavy double-paned glass, rattling the stone mullions of the estate. Hannah walked out of the study and ascended the grand spiral staircase, her footsteps silent on the thick wool runners.
May you like
She pushed open the bedroom door where Aubrey lay curled in her small bed, surrounded by stuffed animals and glowing plastic constellations. Hannah leaned down, kissing her daughter’s soft temple. Aubrey murmured softly in her sleep, pulling her holiday blanket tighter.
“Tomorrow is Christmas, bug,” Hannah murmured, smoothing back a lock of the girl's dark hair. “And Mommy is giving you the best gift you’ll ever have: a life where you never have to fear a monster in your own home.”
