Chapter 16 - The Counter-Strike
I sat in the interrogation room,
the metal chair cold beneath me,
the clock ticking away the hours.
They left me alone for a long time.
A standard psychological tactic,
designed to break my spirit.
But I wasn't broken.
I was furious.
The door opened,
and Jessica walked in,
carrying a thick briefcase.
She looked tired,
but her eyes were sharp.
"They won't let me see Noah,"
I said immediately,
my voice cracking.
"He's with Child Protective Services,"
she said,
sitting down across from me.
"Ethan tried to claim him,"
"but I blocked it with a temporary injunction."
A small sigh of relief escaped my lips.
"Thank God,"
I whispered.
"Now, listen to me, Emma,"
Jessica leaned forward,
lowering her voice.
"We have a problem."
"The video of Claire and Ethan,"
"it was deleted from your phone."
"What?"
I gasped.
"How?"
"The police tech department claims it was an accident,"
she said,
her jaw tight.
"But your father has friends here."
"They wiped the evidence."
I slammed my hands on the table.
"They can't do this!"
"They did,"
she said.
"But they forgot one thing."
"You told me about the cloud."
I stared at her,
a spark of hope igniting.
"The automatic backup,"
I whispered.
"Exactly,"
Jessica smiled,
a predatory,
vicious smile.
"I downloaded the video,"
"and the bank files,"
"before they seized your phone."
"And I sent them,"
"to the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
"The local cops can't bury this anymore."
"The feds are taking over the case."
The door burst open.
Two men in dark suits walked in.
FBI badges hanging from their necks.
"Emma Lawson?"
the first agent asked.
"Yes,"
I said,
standing up straight.
"We've seen the files,"
he said.
"Your husband's real name is John Carter."
"He's been wanted for federal fraud for five years."
"You're coming with us."
May you like
The tables had turned.
The counter-strike had begun.
