Chapter 9 - The Transfer Order
The interrogation room at the county jail smelled of old paper and copper. Leo sat rigidly in the metal chair, his hands cuffed to a small steel ring bolted to the center of the table. Across from him sat Detective Vance, looking genuinely uncomfortable as he shuffled a stack of official paperwork.
"I didn't authorize the tactical raid on your house, Leo," Vance said quietly, avoiding the boy's intense hazel eyes. "That came straight from the D.A.’s office."
"Then you know he's corrupt," Leo challenged, his voice steady despite the oversized handcuffs weighing down his wrists. "Sterling is covering up a ten-year-old conspiracy. My mom has the original bank ledgers from Chicago hidden away. That's why he had her arrested."
Vance stopped shuffling the papers and looked up sharply. "Ledgers? What ledgers? There was no mention of Chicago financial records in the federal seizure logs."
"Because she didn't keep them in her apartment," Leo said, leaning forward as far as the chains would allow. "She gave them to someone she trusted before she left Chicago. Someone Sterling thinks is dead."
Vance frowned, leaning back in his chair. "Who, Leo? Who has the ledgers?"
Before Leo could answer, the heavy steel door swung open. District Attorney Arthur Sterling strode into the room, flanked by two armed federal marshals. Sterling’s expression was an impenetrable mask of bureaucratic authority.
"That's enough, Detective Vance," Sterling commanded, his voice dripping with icy confidence. "Interrogating a minor without a court-appointed guardian present is a violation of protocol. Step outside."
Vance hesitated, glancing between Sterling and the defiant boy. "Mr. Sterling, the boy just mentioned undisclosed evidence from the Chicago case—"
"I said, step outside, Detective," Sterling interrupted, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Vance slowly stood up, shot Leo a sympathetic look, and walked out of the room, closing the heavy steel door behind him.
Sterling pulled out the chair opposite Leo and sat down, resting his elbows on the metal table. "You have your mother's stubborn streak, boy. It’s an irritating trait. But stubbornness doesn't change reality. Your mother was transferred to the federal penitentiary twenty minutes ago. And as for your uncle Marcus..." Sterling smiled thinly. "He’s currently being questioned regarding his association with known federal fugitives."
Leo stared at the D.A., his hazel eyes blazing with pure fury. "You think you've won. But millions of people saw my live stream before your cops broke my phone. The whole world knows who you are, Arthur."
Sterling chuckled, leaning back comfortably. "The internet has a short memory, Leo. By tomorrow, your video will be buried under cat videos and celebrity gossip. And you..." Sterling stood up, smoothing his suit jacket. "...will be placed in the state foster care system, never to see your mother again."
May you like
As Sterling turned to leave, the lights in the interrogation room flickered violently, and the fire alarm began to wail overhead.
---
