Chapter 8 - Federal Oversight
“Sarah Davis?” the man called out over the rain, descending the slippery slope with steady steps. “My name is Agent Marcus Vance. Clara is my sister.”
Sarah’s muscles remained locked in defensive terror, her eyes darting between the agent and his vehicle. “Where is Clara? Arthur broke in—they attacked her!”
“Our surveillance team is already swarming the diner,” Marcus replied calmly, pulling a heavy thermal blanket from his vehicle and draping it around Sarah and Lily. “Clara had a tracker on her. Arthur and your sister have just walked directly into a federal sting operation, but we need you safe before we move in on Arthur’s network.”
Sarah allowed him to guide her up the ridge and into the warmth of the unmarked SUV. Lily immediately sank into the heated leather seats, her shivering gradually subsiding beneath the thick wool.
Marcus handed Sarah a bottle of water and a first-aid kit. “We’ve been investigating Arthur’s shell companies for money laundering and judicial bribery for eighteen months. But Judge Miller was protected by local ties. We couldn’t bridge the gap between Arthur’s financial kickbacks and Bianca’s fraudulent estate filings—until Clara recovered your mother’s original trust documents.”
Sarah opened her bruised palm, revealing the silver flash drive Clara had given her. “This has everything.”
Marcus looked at the drive, a grave expression settling over his features. “That drive contains the bank routing numbers, Sarah. But it also contains something else Clara didn’t have time to tell you.”
May you like
Sarah frowned, feeling a cold knot form in her stomach. “What are you talking about?”
Marcus adjusted his rearview mirror, meeting her eyes. “Arthur isn’t just Bianca’s business partner. He’s Lily’s biological father—and he’s willing to kill to ensure nobody ever finds out.”
