"Federal investigator!" Daniel struggled as they dragged him toward an unmarked van. "You have no authority!"
A hand clamped over his mouth. The van door slammed.
Nia sprinted back toward Evelyn's house. More shouts erupted behind her, screams from the backyard. Through gaps in houses, she glimpsed shadows moving through Evelyn's garden.
"Mom!" Tessa's voice, sharp with terror.
Nia changed direction, vaulting a fence, but she was too far. Through the darkness, she saw deputies forcing Tessa into a second vehicle. Her laptop scattered on the ground.
"Let her go!" Nia's fury exploded as she charged the group.
A deputy moved to block her on Evelyn's porch steps. Nia used her training to break free of his grab and send him stumbling into the railing. Wood cracked. The deputy went down clutching his shoulder.
More vehicles screamed around the corner. Nia dove through hedges into the side yard as flashlight beams cut through branches. Radio static crackled.
"Officer down. Suspect armed and violent."
The lies started immediately.
"All units respond. Attempted murder of law enforcement."
"No!" Evelyn's voice rang out from her front door. "Everyone record this. They're kidnapping witnesses."
But the vehicles were already pulling away, taking Daniel and Tessa into the darkness. Neighbors spilled onto porches with phones raised too late.
Nia pressed against the shadows of her house, pulse hammering. Police frequencies erupted with coordinated deception.
"Be advised. Suspect Ellison attacked officers during lawful protective custody. Armed and dangerous. Believed to possess stolen classified materials. Suspect fled scene."
The false narrative spread like poison. Within minutes, news alerts pinged on phones up and down the street: Woman attacks officers, flees with military documents. Wanted armed suspect assaults police during evidence recovery.
Nia's phone vibrated. Evelyn: They're gone. Neighbors recording everything. What do we do?
Another message flashed, a news update showing Larkin at an emergency press conference.
"The suspect turned violent when officers attempted to secure evidence related to an ongoing federal investigation. She attacked deputies without provocation and fled with classified materials. We ask the public to avoid contact and report any sightings immediately."