CHAPTER 39 — THE FLOOD TUNNEL
Mason forced everyone into the water.
The tunnel was barely high enough to keep their heads above the surface.
Claire carried Lily while Cole supported Margaret.
Gunfire echoed through the hatch behind them.
Sarah entered last and pulled the hatch closed.
The current carried them through darkness.
Olivia cried out.
“My monitor!”
The device had gone black.
Daniel reached for her wrist.
“The fetal heartbeat is still there.”
“For how long?”
No one answered.
They reached a metal gate.
Dana examined the lock.
“It needs a biometric signal.”
Rose placed her palm against the scanner.
Nothing happened.
Sarah tried.
The gate remained closed.
Claire pressed her hand against it.
Still nothing.
Lily touched the scanner.
The gate opened.
Everyone stared at her.
Claire pulled Lily’s hand away.
“Why did it recognize her?”
Sarah looked disturbed.
“It should not have.”
They climbed into a drainage chamber.
A narrow ladder led upward.
Cole went first.
The moment he opened the street hatch, a bright light shone down.
“Federal agents!” a voice shouted. “Put down your weapons!”
Claire climbed out with Lily.
Black vehicles surrounded them.
Dozens of agents aimed rifles at the group.
A woman in a dark coat stepped forward.
“Claire Bennett?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Deputy Director Helen Ward.”
Sarah emerged from the hatch.
Ward immediately aimed at her.
“You are under arrest for kidnapping, unlawful experimentation, and the murder of twenty-three federal witnesses.”
Sarah raised her hands.
“Your agency works for Gray Tide.”
Ward’s expression did not change.
“We received evidence from Daniel Cross.”
Everyone turned toward Daniel.
Claire stared at him.
“You contacted them?”
Daniel looked as confused as she was.
“No.”
Ward held up a tablet.
A video began playing.
Daniel appeared on the screen.
He looked directly into the camera.
“If Claire Bennett reaches the surface, detain her. She is no longer who she believes she is.”
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The recording had been made less than one hour earlier.
While Daniel had been with them.
