Chapter 7: The Vault of Shadows
The revelation of Arthur’s safety deposit box shifted the entire landscape of the battle. However, obtaining a federal warrant to open a bank vault belonging to one of the most powerful political donors in New York was a bureaucratic nightmare.
"Arthur has judges in his pocket," Marcus warned as they drove through the torrential midnight rain. "The moment we file an emergency search application, his contacts will tip him off, and the evidence will vanish into an incinerator."
"Then we don't file through normal channels," Julian said. "We go straight to the Southern District Federal Prosecutor, Evelyn Reed. Victor helped her bust the dockworker union corruption three years ago. She owes him her career."
Meanwhile, back at the Sterling Estate, danger was closing in. Clara was tucking Leo into bed when the estate's backup generator abruptly roared to life—the main power grid had been deliberately cut. The security floodlights went black.
Clara’s maternal instincts instantly flared. "Leo, sweetheart, wake up. We have to move right now."
"Is it Uncle Julian?" Leo asked groggily.
May you like
"No, baby. It's a game of hide-and-seek. Come with me."
Clara grabbed Leo’s hand, leading him through the darkened hallways toward the old servant passage behind the pantry. Outside, the sound of heavy boots crunching across gravel confirmed her worst fears: Arthur wasn't waiting for the board meeting. He was moving to eliminate the only surviving witness.
