Chapter 24 - Dawn in Oakwood
The early morning mist hung thick over Oakwood, Dayton's wealthiest suburb, when four black, unmarked SUVs rolled quietly down the tree-lined avenue. Inside the luxurious two-story brick colonial home, the Whitaker household was just waking up.
Evelyn Whitaker stood in her designer kitchen, pouring fresh coffee into porcelain mugs while complaining to her husband Richard about the neighbors.
"I still can't believe Eleanor didn't send us a dime from her promotion bonus," Evelyn scoffed, tossing a glossy lifestyle magazine onto the marble counter. "All that fuss the Admiral made at her ceremony. Calling her a hero! If she was truly successful, she’d be sharing her Navy salary with her brother. Kevin has an important investment meeting today."
Richard adjusted his gold wristwatch, sitting at the mahogany breakfast table with a dismissive smirk. "Forget her, Evelyn. Eleanor has always been stubborn and ungrateful. The Navy gave her a fancy title, but she'll never make real money. In another six months, Kevin and I will finalize our third logistics contract. We'll be able to retire to Florida and leave her behind in whatever rusty ship she's sleeping on."
Kevin stumbled into the kitchen, yawning in silk pajamas, holding his smartphone. "Dad, the tracking signal on the offshore delivery went dark around midnight. Did the buyer confirm the transfer?"
"Don't worry about it," Richard dismissed with a wave of his hand. "Probably just satellite interference in the Atlantic. Our contacts are professionals. They know how to handle naval patrols."
Before Kevin could respond, the front door of the mansion blew inward with a thunderous crack.
Flashbang canisters detonated in the foyer with blinding, disorienting flashes of light and deafening concussions. "Federal agents! Search warrant! Hands where we can see them! On the ground! Right now!"
Armored tactical officers poured into the house, laser sights cutting through the smoke, pinning Kevin to the hardwood floor before he could drop his coffee cup. Evelyn screamed, dropping to her knees by the refrigerator, hands covering her ears.
Richard stood frozen, his face turning an ash-gray shade of pure terror as a senior NCIS investigator stepped through the shattered doorway, holding a federal arrest warrant bearing the seal of the Department of the Navy.
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"Richard Whitaker? Kevin Whitaker?" the agent announced loudly. "You are under arrest for espionage, federal arms smuggling, and treason against the United States."
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