Chapter 4 - THE GHOST IN THE PENTAGON'S NETWORK
Arthur Vance turned toward the double doors,
desperate to escape the tightening net,
only to find the heavy oak portals pushed wide open from the outside.
Three men in dark federal suits stepped into the grand dining room,
their dark sunglasses reflecting the crystal chandelier overhead.
"Arthur Vance?"
the lead federal agent asked,
flashing a gold shield.
"Special Agent Marcus Vance of the Department of Justice financial crimes task force."
The attorney's face turned the color of ash.
"I am an officer of the court,"
Vance stammered,
raising his hands defensively.
"I demand to speak to my own counsel."
"You can speak to whomever you like down at the federal holding facility,"
Agent Marcus Vance replied smoothly,
stepping aside as two armed marshals moved into the room.
"We have a federal warrant for your arrest,
along with warrants for corporate fraud,
obstruction of justice,
and wire fraud relating to the systematic embezzlement of Arthur Sterling's estate."
Victoria staggered backward,
her knees buckling as she clutched the back of a velvet armchair for support.
"This is a mistake,"
she whispered,
her voice trembling uncontrollably.
"Arthur left everything to me.
We had an agreement."
"There was no agreement,
Mrs. Sterling,"
I said,
stepping over to the head of the table and picking up the fraudulent waiver.
"There was only a coordinated conspiracy designed to rob me and silence my father permanently."
Agent Marcus Vance turned his attention toward me,
nodding respectfully.
"Colonel Sterling,
thank you for securing the physical evidence on site."
"Anytime,
Agent Vance,"
I replied,
saluting crisply before handing over the encrypted tablet.
"The complete transaction logs,
offshore routing numbers,
and audio recordings of the conspiracy are fully accessible on this drive."
Julian groaned from the floor,
clutching his bruised arm while staring in utter disbelief at the federal agents surrounding the room.
"You planned this,"
Julian choked out,
tears of frustration spilling down his cheeks.
"You knew we were going to ambush you."
"In intelligence,
Julian,"
I said,
May you like
looking down at my half-brother with absolute pity,
"you never walk into a trap unless you brought your own army."
