Chapter 12 — The Trap at Hangar Twelve
# The Birthday Surprise
## Chapter 12 — The Trap at Hangar Twelve
Late that evening, an FBI analyst burst into the operations room carrying a freshly decrypted email.
"We found Charles's escape plan."
Agent Mercer immediately took the document.
The email contained only a location and a departure time.
**Hangar 12.**
**Los Angeles Executive Airport.**
**6:00 A.M.**
Mercer immediately contacted the tactical team.
"They're planning to leave the country."
"We move before sunrise."
Ethan insisted on coming.
Mercer hesitated.
"This is an FBI operation."
"I understand."
"But Charles destroyed my family."
"I need to see this end."
Mercer finally agreed.
Before dawn, a convoy of unmarked SUVs quietly surrounded the private airport.
Agents took positions behind maintenance vehicles and fuel trucks.
Inside Hangar 12, a Gulfstream jet sat ready for departure.
Lucas paced nervously across the concrete floor.
Charles remained surprisingly calm.
"You worry too much," Charles said.
Lucas shook his head.
"The FBI already has my phone."
Charles zipped a leather briefcase shut.
"They still don't have me."
At that exact moment...
Powerful floodlights illuminated the entire hangar.
"FBI!"
"Nobody move!"
Agents rushed in from every direction.
Lucas immediately raised his hands.
Charles did not.
Instead, he grabbed the briefcase and sprinted toward the waiting aircraft.
Mercer shouted,
"Stop!"
Charles ignored him.
As he reached the stairs...
Someone stepped into his path.
Ethan.
The two men stared at each other in complete silence.
For several long seconds...
Neither moved.
Charles smiled sadly.
"You've grown into your father."
Ethan answered quietly.
"My father trusted you."
"And you repaid him by stealing everything."
Charles looked toward the aircraft.
"It's too late."
Ethan shook his head.
"No."
"It's finally over."
