Chapter 7 - THE RAID
The first investigator introduced herself as Special Agent Dana Brooks.
Mid-forties.
Dark suit.
No wasted words.
She looked at me.
“Elena Vale?”
“Yes.”
“We received a protected disclosure package linked to your counsel.”
Maya stepped forward.
“That’s correct.”
Brooks glanced at my face.
“Were you assaulted this morning?”
“Yes.”
“By Grant Whitmore?”
“Yes.”
Richard closed his eyes.
Brooks turned toward him.
“Mr. Whitmore, we have a warrant authorizing preservation and seizure of specified financial and electronic records.”
Richard stared at her.
“You got a warrant this fast?”
She gave him a flat look.
“This investigation did not begin this morning.”
That landed like a bomb.
I looked at Maya.
She looked equally surprised.
Brooks continued.
“Your evidence appears to overlap with an existing inquiry.”
Richard’s face drained.
“Existing?”
Another agent walked past us toward the server area.
Brooks said, “You should contact counsel.”
Richard actually laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because he understood how bad things had become.
Within twenty minutes, the thirty-fourth floor was locked down.
Agents photographed equipment.
Employees surrendered phones.
Executives whispered in corners.
Then Paige arrived.
She stepped out of the elevator wearing sunglasses and a cream coat, looking like she was entering brunch instead of a federal investigation.
“What the hell is going on?”
Nobody answered.
Then she saw me.
Her face twisted.
“You.”
She walked straight toward me.
“You vindictive little bitch.”
Maya stepped between us.
“Careful.”
Paige laughed.
“Or what?”
I looked at her.
“Or maybe don’t threaten a witness while federal agents are standing ten feet away.”
Paige turned.
She finally noticed Brooks watching.
Her mouth closed.
Richard approached his daughter.
“Call your lawyer.”
“Dad, what did she do?”
“Call. Your. Lawyer.”
Paige pointed at me.
“She planned this.”
“Yes,” I said.
Everyone looked at me.
I continued.
“I planned to protect myself.”
Paige’s eyes narrowed.
“You trapped Grant.”
“Did I move his hand?”
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Then a commotion started near the elevator.
Grant was arguing with security.
“This is my company!”
Brooks looked at Richard.
“Is it?”
Richard’s expression hardened.
“For now.”
Grant pushed past a guard.
He saw me.
“You called the feds?”
Brooks stepped forward.
“Mr. Whitmore, I’m Special Agent Brooks.”
Grant stopped.
For the first time, he looked genuinely scared.
Brooks continued.
“I need your phone.”
“No.”
“That was not a request.”
Grant looked at his father.
Richard said nothing.
Grant looked at me.
His fear became rage.
“You did this because I slapped you?”
I stared at him.
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because you were already corrupt before you hit me.”
His face changed.
Brooks held out her hand.
“Phone.”
Slowly, Grant gave it to her.
An agent placed it inside an evidence bag.
Paige turned away.
That was when her phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
I saw the name.
DEVON.
Her college roommate.
The same woman listed as director of the Cayman consulting firm.
Paige declined the call.
Too late.
Brooks saw it too.
“Who’s Devon?”
Paige froze.
Nobody spoke.
Brooks held out her hand.
“Your phone too.”
Paige backed away.
“I need to call my attorney.”
“You may do that after we preserve the device.”
Paige’s breathing became shallow.
Then she did something no one expected.
She ran.
May you like
Straight toward the stairwell.
And two agents went after her.
