Chapter 13 — The Chase Across the Runway
# The Birthday Surprise
## Chapter 13 — The Chase Across the Runway
Charles suddenly shoved Ethan aside and bolted toward the runway.
The leather briefcase remained locked tightly in his hand.
"Go!" Mercer shouted.
Several FBI agents sprinted after him.
Lucas stayed where he was, knowing there was nowhere left to run.
Charles reached a waiting airport vehicle and jumped inside.
The engine roared to life.
He accelerated across the runway toward the private jet.
Mercer immediately ordered,
"Block the taxiway!"
Police vehicles raced forward, cutting across the pavement.
Charles swerved violently, narrowly avoiding one SUV before crashing through a temporary security barrier.
The vehicle spun across the runway.
Its front tire exploded.
Smoke filled the air.
Still refusing to surrender, Charles climbed out and ran the remaining distance on foot.
He was only a few yards from the aircraft stairs.
Then the jet engines suddenly powered down.
The pilot stepped outside with both hands raised.
"I'm done."
"I'm not helping you."
Charles stopped.
For the first time...
He realized he was completely alone.
Mercer slowly approached with two agents.
"It's over, Charles."
Charles looked around the empty runway.
Every escape route had been blocked.
Helicopters circled overhead.
Police vehicles surrounded the aircraft.
Ethan walked forward until he stood only a few feet away.
"Was any of it real?"
Charles looked at him.
"What?"
"Our family."
"The holidays."
"My father's funeral."
"You held me while I cried."
"Were those memories real?"
Charles remained silent for several moments.
Finally, he answered.
"I cared about your father."
"But I cared about power more."
Those words hit Ethan harder than any confession.
Charles slowly released the briefcase.
It fell onto the runway with a heavy thud.
Agent Mercer stepped forward and placed handcuffs around his wrists.
"You are under arrest."
As agents escorted Charles away, Ethan watched the sunrise spread across the airport.
The conspiracy that had begun years earlier was finally over.
But repairing the damage it had caused would take far longer than bringing its mastermind to justice.
