Chapter 6 - The Kingdom Behind the Cage
Iron Crown Combat Academy opened at six each morning.
By nine, the building usually echoed with gloves striking bags, coaches shouting instructions and music vibrating through the metal walls.
On the morning Daniel arrived, Dustin had already told everyone why he was coming.
He claimed Madison had suffered a minor accident and was blaming him because she wanted attention. He said her father was unstable, jealous and obsessed with military stories.
Rick supported the lie.
“Whatever happens,” he told the fighters, “don’t interfere unless I tell you.”
Marcus stood near the cage, pretending to wrap his hands.
He knew officers were hidden behind the locked office door. A second team waited outside near the rear entrance. The search warrant covered financial records, betting logs and video files.
The investigators hoped Dustin or Rick would say enough to strengthen the assault case.
Marcus hoped Daniel would leave the building safely.
Dustin appeared relaxed.
He removed his shirt, pulled on gloves and began striking pads while a younger fighter held them. Each blow was louder than necessary.
“He really thinks an old man is coming?” someone asked.
Dustin laughed.
“He’ll make a speech. I’ll scare him. Then he’ll take Madison home and teach her to stop telling stories.”
Marcus looked up.
“You shouldn’t underestimate him.”
Dustin turned.
“Still worshipping your old military heroes?”
“I’m telling you he isn’t someone you should provoke.”
“He’s sixty years old.”
“He spent fifteen years teaching close combat.”
Dustin dropped his gloves onto a bench.
“And I’ve spent my entire adult life actually fighting.”
Marcus knew Dustin would never understand the difference.
Dustin fought for applause, rankings and dominance.
Daniel had taught people to stay alive.
Rick approached Marcus.
“You’ve been acting strange since last night.”
“Didn’t sleep.”
“Where were you this morning?”
“At home.”
Rick studied him.
Marcus forced himself not to look toward the office.
Rick leaned closer.
“If anyone asks about the security system, nothing was recorded last night.”
Marcus met his eyes.
“Why would anyone ask?”
Before Rick could answer, the front door opened.
Daniel entered alone.
He wore the same plaid shirt Madison remembered from family camping trips. His sleeves covered the recording device taped beneath his undershirt.
Every face turned toward him.
Daniel did not search for Marcus.
He walked directly onto the blue mat.
Dustin began laughing.
The others followed because that was what they had been trained to do.
For years, Rick had taught them that strength meant joining the loudest man in the room.
Daniel stopped beneath the lights.
He looked smaller than Dustin.
Older.
Outnumbered.
Exactly as planned.
Dustin raised his fists mockingly.
“Did your daughter send Grandpa to scare me?”
Daniel heard the recording device activate beneath his shirt.
He also heard the office lock click behind Rick.
The officers were ready.
May you like
Everything now depended on Dustin believing he had already won.
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