Chapter 10: Shadows in the City
News of the federal raid on the Sterling Corporation spread like wildfire across the evening news networks, flashing across television screens in bars, airports, and living rooms throughout the Midwest. Julian and Clara watched the broadcast from a quiet, out-of-the-way diner off Interstate 94, eating simple grilled cheese sandwiches while the anchor reported on the frozen assets and impending indictments. Clara watched the grainy footage of federal marshals carrying boxes of evidence out of the Chicago headquarters, a profound sense of closure washing over her tired mind. "Your mother won't go down without fighting every single charge," Clara said softly, watching the screen show a still photograph of Eleanor looking icy and defiant. "She has teams of lawyers who will drag this through the appeals courts for the next decade." Julian nodded, wiping his mouth with a paper napkin, his eyes fixed on the television screen. "She can drag it out all she wants, but her financial liquidity is completely frozen, and her board members are already turning state's evidence to save their own skins," Julian explained, reaching across the laminate table to touch her hand. "The empire is dead, Clara. What matters now is us, and getting you to a safe hospital before our little girl decides to make her entrance." Just as he spoke, Clara felt a sudden, sharp contraction ripple through her lower abdomen, making her breath hitch and her fingers grip the edge of the table so hard her knuckles turned white. Julian noticed the micro-expression of pain instantly, his protective instincts flaring back to life with terrifying speed. "Is it time?" he asked, his voice dropping into a low, urgent register. Clara nodded slowly, her face pale as a second, stronger wave of pain washed over her frame. "We need to get to a hospital, Julian. Now." Without another word, Julian threw a twenty-dollar bill onto the table, scooped up the black duffel bag, and practically carried Clara out of the diner toward the waiting sedan, racing against time and the ghosts of the Sterling family.
