Chapter 8 - The Federal Intervention
The local police officers and Henry both spun around as a tall, immaculate figure in a charcoal federal prosecutor's suit stepped out from the stairwell, holding a thick, crimson-stamped leather folio.
Special Agent Vance of the Department of Justice walked straight up to Henry, flashing his gold shield with crisp, practiced efficiency.
Henry blinked, his belligerent posture faltering for the first time. "What is this? I'm a prominent taxpayer—I demand to know what—"
"Henry Linwood, you are currently being detained under federal warrant for wire fraud, corporate tax evasion, and conspiracy to obstruct a federal audit," Agent Vance interrupted smoothly, pulling a pair of heavy steel handcuffs from his belt with a sharp metallic clink.
The two local police officers stepped back, recognizing federal jurisdiction instantly.
"You can't do this! Do you know who my lawyers are?" Henry shrieked, thrashing slightly as Agent Vance grabbed his arm and spun him around against the hallway wall, slapping the cuffs onto his wrists with a definitive click. "Arthur Vance will have your badge by the end of the week!"
"Arthur Vance was picked up by federal marshals twenty minutes ago at his downtown office for suborning perjury," Agent Vance replied coolly, pushing Henry toward the stairwell. "You're going to have to find a new attorney, Mr. Linwood."
As Henry was dragged away, cursing and shouting threats that echoed down the concrete corridor, Agent Vance turned his attention back to our doorway. He offered a polite, respectful nod to Daniel and me.
"Mr. and Mrs. Linwood," the agent said, lowering his voice. "I apologize for the disturbance. You won't have to worry about harassment from the Linwood family anymore. The emergency custody petition filed by Veronica was formally thrown out by the family court judge thirty minutes ago upon review of our counter-affidavit."
I let out a long, shuddering breath that I felt like I'd been holding since the wedding reception. "Thank you, Agent Vance. Is... is it really over?"
"The corporate investigation is just beginning, ma'am," the agent warned gently. "But your family is entirely legally protected. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a boardroom in downtown Minneapolis to clear out."
May you like
Daniel watched the agent walk away, then turned back inside the apartment, closing the heavy wooden door and locking the deadbolt with a solid, satisfying turn.
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