The Mafia Boss’s Dog Refused to Leave the Little Girl’s Coffin—Then They Heard Something Inside

Enzo had escaped federal transport with help from a bribed marshal.

Now he pulled Harlan from the water and raced toward the cargo channel.

Tony and I took the terminal's rescue boat. Bruno jumped aboard before I could stop him. Detective Brooks followed with two officers.

The river was black and violent under the storm. Enzo's speedboat cut between barges, heading for open water.

"They are not escaping," Brooks said. "They are reaching the cargo ship."

The ship's lights appeared beyond the bridge.

Harlan fired at us from the rear seat. A bullet punched through the windshield. Another hit the engine cover.

Bruno stayed low, eyes locked on the other boat.

We drew beside them near a construction barge. Enzo rammed us once, then again. Brooks lost her balance and nearly went overboard. I caught her coat.

Tony jumped onto Enzo's boat.

Harlan struck him with the pistol. Bruno followed, clearing the gap in one impossible leap. He drove Harlan against the side rail.

Enzo aimed at the dog.

I hit him before he fired.

The speedboat spun toward the barge. Tony grabbed the wheel. Brooks pulled Harlan's weapon away. Enzo and I crashed across the deck as steel filled our path.

"You cannot erase me," Enzo shouted. "I made you."

"That is why I know exactly what you are."

I locked his wrist and forced him down as Tony turned the boat seconds before impact.

Federal patrol boats surrounded us.

Enzo was cuffed. Harlan was dragged from beneath Bruno's paws. Both men were alive, furious, and finished.

Then Tony looked toward the cargo ship.

Its engines were already moving.

Project Lantern's buyer had received the passenger list and payment records. If the ship crossed into international waters, the final evidence might vanish.

Brooks checked her radio. "Coast Guard is twelve minutes out."

The cargo ship was four minutes from the boundary.

Elena's flash drive contained one more file: remote access to the ship's navigation system.