Chapter 5 - THE FEDERAL ARRIVAL
The private library corridor flooded with armed federal marshals in tactical gear, their tactical lights cutting through the dim emergency lighting. Leading the unit was a tall, stern woman with iron-gray hair—Special Agent in Chief Katherine Vance of the Department of Justice’s Financial Crimes Division.
"Drop the weapon, Mr. Kane!" Agent Vance commanded, her voice ringing out with absolute authority as three assault rifles locked onto Vincent’s chest.
Vincent slowly lowered the Beretta, though he didn't drop it. He stood up from his crouched position, looking over at the federal agent.
"You're a bit late to the party, Agent Vance," Vincent said, his voice cool and steady despite the dozen guns pointed at him. "The embezzlement files are in the main executive safe downstairs. You'll find all of Arthur’s offshore shell companies neatly cataloged."
Agent Vance didn't lower her weapon. She glanced down at Arthur Sterling, who was slumped against the wall, gasping for air, before turning her sharp gaze back to Vincent.
"We didn't come here just for the financial files, Vincent," Agent Vance said, stepping closer. "We came for the human rights violations tied to the illicit medical detention facilities funded by the Sterling-Kane conglomerate."
Vincent’s brow furrowed. He looked from Agent Vance down to Arthur, a sudden, horrifying connection forming in his mind. He looked back at the federal agent, noting her last name for the first time.
"Vance," Vincent said slowly. "You’re related to Clara."
"She’s my aunt," Agent Vance confirmed without blinking. "She spent thirty years hiding inside your father’s inner circle, waiting for the statute of limitations on the corporate cover-ups to expire and gathering the exact medical telemetry needed to secure a federal raid warrant."
Arthur let out a weak, pathetic groan from the floor. "You... you planned this," he whispered, looking up at Agent Vance with pure hatred. "All of it... the charity gala, the nurse... it was a trap."
"It wasn't a trap, Arthur," Agent Vance corrected him coldly, motioning to the marshals. "It was an overdue invoice."
Two tactical officers stepped forward, hauling Arthur to his feet and snapping heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists. He didn't fight back; his body seemed to have given up entirely, his legs dragging lifelessly across the floor as they dragged him toward the exit.
As they hauled Arthur past him, Vincent didn't say a word. His mind was entirely consumed by a single coordinate whispered just moments before the chaos erupted.
Maine.
Agent Vance turned back to Vincent, lowering her weapon slightly, though her men maintained their defensive perimeter.
May you like
"Your mother is waiting for you, Vincent," Agent Vance said quietly, handing him a sealed manila envelope. "Address is inside. Clara kept the trust active in secret, paying out of her own pension when the corporate subsidies were cut off."
Vincent took the envelope with a hand that felt uncharacteristically heavy. He looked down at it, tracing the unsealed edge with his thumb. Thirty years of ghosts were about to meet the blinding light of reality.
