Chapter 11 - The Fall Behind Iron Bars
Two days later, the storm of federal justice made landfall at Stateville Correctional Center.
Julian sat across a scarred steel visitation table, separated from his court-appointed attorney by a pane of scratched plexiglass. He wore a drab orange jumpsuit, his hair buzzed short, his once-manicured hands rough and calloused. He was clutching a yellow legal pad, expecting news about his mother's house arrest or a minor bail review.
Instead, two federal marshals stepped into the visitation room, accompanied by an assistant United States Attorney.
"Julian Vance?" the prosecutor asked, sliding an official federal indictment across the partition slot. "You are hereby charged with three counts of international wire fraud, conspiracy to commit economic espionage, and filing false declarations under federal disclosure laws."
Julian stared at the documents, his breath hitching in his chest. "What? No! I already took a plea! I have a deal with the state! I’m serving my time!"
"The State of Illinois prosecuted you for embezzlement and domestic assault," the prosecutor stated, entirely devoid of emotion. "These are federal charges originating from your actions at Vanguard Capital four years ago. We have secured the full ledger of your Grand Cayman dummy corporation, Account Alpha-Nine."
Julian’s face went from pale to ghostly white. His jaw dropped. "Account Alpha-Nine? How... how do you have that? Nobody had those keys! Only Camilla—"
He stopped dead, the realization slamming into him like a locomotive.
"Camilla," Julian choked out, his eyes bulging with animalistic fury. "That lying, treacherous b—! She swore she burned that ledger! She gave it to Nora!"
"The eight point two million dollars held in Grand Cayman has been seized under international asset forfeiture," the marshal informed him, producing a fresh pair of heavy federal transport irons. "Your state plea deal has been revoked due to material concealment of assets. You are being transferred immediately to the Metropolitan Correctional Center downtown pending federal arraignment."
Julian backed away until his chair screeched against the concrete floor. "No! Call Nora! Tell her to pick up the phone! I demand to speak with my wife!"
"Dr. Vance signed the final decree of absolute divorce yesterday afternoon, Mr. Vance," the federal attorney replied smoothly. "She is no longer your wife. In fact, under the terms of the federal restitution order, you are legally prohibited from ever contacting her or approaching any Northstar facility for the remainder of your natural life."
The marshals stepped forward, forcing Julian’s hands behind his back. The heavy federal cuffs clicked shut with a brutal, definitive snap.
Julian began to scream. He kicked against the steel table, thrashing like a rabid animal as guards moved in to restrain him. "Nora! You can't do this to me! I built you! You were nothing without me! You're nothing!"
His screams echoed down the cold concrete corridor, dying out as the heavy steel doors slammed shut behind him.
Back in the executive suite of Northstar, I sat with Malcolm watching the news ticker at the bottom of the television screen: 'Former Executive Julian Vance Indicted on Federal Espionage Charges; Faces Additional 20 Years.'
Malcolm looked at me over the rim of his glasses. "It’s over, Nora. Really over. The federal judge will not grant bail on an international flight risk. He will never touch this company again."
I stood up, walked to the credenza, and poured two glasses of chilled sparkling cider. I handed one to the man who had stood by my family through thirty years of triumphs and tragedies.
"To the truth, Malcolm," I said softly, clinking my glass against his.
"To the Chairwoman," Malcolm replied with a warm, genuine smile. "Your grandfather is looking down right now, Nora. And he is damn proud."
May you like
For the first time in years, the knot in the center of my chest loosened completely. The shadow of Julian Vance had been erased. Now, it was time to live.
---
