The heavy iron gates of the Vance family’s abandoned country estate hung half-open on rusted hinges, groaning softly in the predawn wind.Lucas cut the sedan’s headlights two hundred yards down the overgrown access road, letting the vehicle coast silently beneath the heavy canopy of towering oak trees. The estate had been sealed by federal asset forfeiture orders five years ago, but the perimeter security sensors had been disabled weeks ago—or bypassed entirely."If this is another trap set by Director Sterling's team, we won't have room to maneuver out here," Elena whispered from the passenger seat, checking the clip of her service pistol before slipping the weapon into her coat pocket."It's not Sterling," Lucas said, stepping out into the damp morning air and pulling his jacket tight against the chill. "Sterling wants public control and legal receivership. Whoever sent that note wants the estate's private vault opened before the federal marshals arrive at sunrise."They moved acros