Chapter 10 - THE FEDERAL RAID
The lead agent entered with her badge raised.
“Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
“No one leaves the building.”
The police commissioner attempted to approach.
“I am in charge of local jurisdiction.”
The agent looked at him.
“Commissioner Harris, you are under arrest.”
Two federal officers seized his arms.
The commissioner shouted.
“This is outrageous.”
The agent removed a folder from her vest.
“Bribery.”
“Obstruction.”
“Money laundering.”
“And conspiracy to commit murder.”
The commissioner’s face collapsed.
Other agents moved through the ballroom.
They detained bankers, auditors and foundation executives.
Several guests who had laughed at the waitress earlier were now being handcuffed.
Adrian stood near the damaged wall.
He raised both hands.
“This is a misunderstanding.”
The lead agent approached him.
“Senator Langford, we have recordings of you arranging the sabotage of Evelyn Vale’s aircraft.”
Adrian pointed toward Isabelle.
“She ordered it.”
Isabelle laughed without humor.
“You designed it.”
Victoria lifted her hidden microphone.
“And I recorded both of you discussing it.”
Adrian stared at his wife.
“You would destroy your own family?”
Victoria’s face twisted.
“You destroyed me first.”
The federal agent took the recording device.
Victoria expected gratitude.
Instead, the agent nodded to another officer.
He stepped behind her with handcuffs.
Victoria pulled away.
“What are you doing?”
The agent remained expressionless.
“Victoria Langford, you are under arrest for extortion, financial fraud and witness intimidation.”
Victoria looked toward Evelyn.
“Tell them I helped you.”
“You helped yourself.”
“I can give you names.”
“You can give them to a judge.”
Victoria’s voice rose.
“You do not understand.”
“I cannot go to prison.”
Lena stood a few feet away.
She was still wearing her stained server’s uniform.
“You thought I could lose my job.”
“You thought the valet could lose his future.”
“You thought every person here could suffer as long as you remained comfortable.”
Victoria stared at her.
Lena’s expression stayed calm.
“Now you can learn discomfort.”
Victoria was led away screaming.
Adrian was handcuffed next.
He looked at Evelyn.
“You have no idea what will happen to your company.”
Evelyn stepped closer.
“My company survived you.”
“It will not survive the scandal.”
“It will become honest.”
“Honesty does not make money.”
Evelyn glanced around the ruined ballroom.
“Neither does prison.”
As agents led Adrian away, Isabelle remained standing alone.
The lead agent approached her.
“Isabelle Vale, place your hands behind your back.”
Isabelle looked at Evelyn.
“You know what he did to me.”
“I do.”
“You know why I wanted revenge.”
“I know.”
“Then stop them.”
Evelyn’s voice softened.
“I can understand your pain without excusing what you did.”
Isabelle’s eyes hardened.
“You always choose them over me.”
“No.”
“This time, I am choosing the people you nearly killed.”
Isabelle raised her hands.
The agent secured the cuffs.
But as she was being escorted away, Isabelle leaned close to Evelyn.
“You still have not found the final account.”
Evelyn frowned.
May you like
Isabelle smiled.
“And when you do, you will wish the hotel had burned.”
