My brother’s wedding was supposed to be one of the happiest nights of our lives / Chapter 67 / 70

Chapter 67 - The Sovereign Retribution

The locomotive burst through the rusted iron floodgates and into the open night air of the Cumberland riverbank. Cool midnight wind rushed through our hair as the Nashville skyline appeared ahead, illuminated by flashing police cruisers, Coast Guard patrol boats, and the blazing floodlights of Federal Marshals lining the banks.

The mercenaries pursuing us along the rail bed suddenly skidded to a halt as three armored DHS vehicles blocked the tracks ahead. Sirens wailed, cutting through the damp southern air with absolute authority. Over loudspeakers, commands echoed across the water:

"Federal agents! Drop your weapons and step away from the train! All units stand down!"

Inspector Miller stepped out from behind the lead armored vehicle, flanked by armed federal marshals. His trench coat billowed in the river breeze, his badge gleaming under the spotlight.

The mercenaries dropped their weapons onto the gravel ballast, raising their hands in surrender as tactical officers swarmed the perimeter, disarming them one by one.

David jumped down from the locomotive’s running board, his boots crushing the gravel, holding Lord William firmly by the collar. He marched the British aristocrat directly toward Miller’s command post.

"Inspector," David said, delivering Lord William into Miller's custody. "Here is the head of the Sterling syndicate. Along with complete documentation of thirty years of unlawful maritime trafficking and the full digital index of the Gulf shell companies."

Miller looked at Lord William, then glanced at David, a grim, respectful smile touching his lips. "Good work, Vance. We just took Mayor Hayes into custody at his Belle Meade residence. The Chancery Court warrants have been executed across all municipal districts. The Sterling operation in Nashville is officially finished."

Lord William looked back at David, his eyes smoldering with a mixture of bitter hatred and profound regret. "You had the chance to rule the world, boy. And you chose to be a freight dispatcher in a muddy river town."