Chapter 7 - The Arrest Warrant
Before Wade could formulate his next move, the front door of the diner swung open once more with a heavy, authoritative thud.
Two federal marshals in tactical black vests stepped inside, accompanied by a woman in a sharp charcoal business suit carrying a leather briefcase.
"Wade Cain?" the woman asked, her voice crisp and devoid of emotion.
Wade didn't turn around. "You're making a mistake."
"Special Agent Miller, Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General," she said, flipping open her credentials and holding them inches from his face. "Wade Cain, you are formally placed under arrest for wire fraud, extortion, interstate racketeering, and the obstruction of a federal logistics corridor resulting in civilian manslaughter."
The word manslaughter hung in the air like a physical blow.
Travis lunged forward toward the marshals. "You can't arrest him! You don't have the jurisdiction—!"
One of the tactical officers stepped into Travis’s path, a heavy zip-tie cuff already sliding over his wrist with a sharp zip. Travis stumbled, his expensive designer jacket tearing at the seam as he was forced face-first against the glass pie display.
"Interfering with a federal arrest is a separate felony, Mr. Cain," Agent Miller said calmly, snapping the cuffs tight around Travis's wrists before turning her attention to Wade.
Wade didn't resist as the heavy steel cuffs clicked onto his wrists. His face had gone from pale to an unhealthy, mottled gray. As the marshals guided him toward the exit, he cast one last, venomous look back toward my mother, who was watching from behind the counter with her good hand gripping the edge of the cash register.
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"You won't keep this diner," Wade muttered through gritted teeth as he was pushed past the door. "When my lawyers get hold of the land titles—"
"Your lawyers are currently being served with asset forfeiture papers at your corporate headquarters," Major Vance interrupted smoothly, holding the door open for the federal agents. "Everything you own belongs to the federal government as of four minutes ago."
