Chapter 10 - The Breach at the Gates
"We've been compromised!" shouted one of the lead federal analysts from across the room, his fingers hammering frantically against his keyboard as system alerts flashed red across every screen. "External breach at checkpoint alpha! They bypassed our primary firewall using an active Department of Justice override code!"
Eleanor didn't panic. Her face hardened into a mask of pure, unyielding granite. She turned away from the terminal and looked directly at Detective Vance.
"An override code?" Eleanor said sharply. "Only three people in the federal district office possess the master clearance required to generate that code."
"Margaret Vance," Detective Vance spat out, his face turning pale with fury. "She must have had a corrupt federal magistrate sign off on the warrant before they even raided the safe house."
Clara stood up from the table, her heart hammering against her ribs, but her hands were steady as she pulled her baby close against her chest. "They tracked us here. They're coming for the drive."
"They can try," Eleanor replied coldly. She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a heavy brass master key, tossing it across the table to Detective Vance. "Take Clara and the child through the subterranean rail tunnel beneath the sub-basement. It leads out to the federal courthouse three blocks away, where federal marshals are already mobilizing a tactical response unit."
"What about you, Your Honor?" Vance asked, hesitating as heavy thuds echoed from the main elevator shaft overhead.
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"I’m going to stay right here and welcome our guests," Eleanor said calmly, walking over to the conference room door and locking it from the inside. "A judge doesn't run from criminals, Detective. We put them on trial."
Clara locked eyes with Eleanor through the glass wall, recognizing the fierce, protective strength of a woman who refused to let the corrupt system win. Without another word, Clara turned and followed Vance toward the hidden sub-basement exit as the heavy steel doors of the main elevator shaft began to buckle under the assault of the breaching team above.
