The Night My Husband Sent His Officers to Silence Me and Our Daughter

The Traitor in Uniform

The sweeping beams of light danced across the shattered windshields of the surrounding cars, drawing closer with agonizing slowness. Laura watched, paralyzed, as a flashlight beam illuminated the mud just inches from her boots. She knew they couldn't stay here. If they were caught in this dead-end corner of the junkyard, there would be no escape.

Just as she prepared to make a desperate dash into the open, a car door slammed in the distance. A third figure stepped into the muddy yard, shrouded in a heavy black trench coat. Even in the dim light of the police cruisers' flashing blue bars, Laura recognized the posture instantly. It was Marcus.

"Did you find them yet?"

Marcus’s voice was cold, stripped of the warm, charismatic tone he used for his voters. He approached the two officers, his face twisted in frustration. Laura’s heart sank. She had spent five years married to this man, completely blind to the embezzlement and the illegal syndicate he protected. When she had stumbled upon the ledger in his home office, she thought she was doing the right thing by calling the local precinct. She had no idea the precinct chief was on Marcus's payroll.

Officer Davis shook his head, shining his light toward the rusted green pickup. "Not yet, D.A. But they couldn't have gone far on foot. The kid is wearing a bright pink jacket. We'll find them."

Marcus stepped closer, his boots splashing in the puddles. "Make sure you do. Laura has the flash drive. If she gets to the state capital, we are all finished. Do whatever you have to do to stop her. Do you understand?" The implication was clear. They weren't planning on bringing Laura back alive. Clutching Chloe closer, Laura felt a tear slip down her muddy cheek. She was completely alone, surrounded by the very people sworn to protect her.