Chapter 6: The Chamber of Shadows
Across town, in a luxury penthouse in TriBeCa, Victoria and her mother, Cynthia Sterling, were in a state of absolute, hysterical panic.
""We need to wire the remaining funds to the Swiss accounts right now, Mother!"" Victoria screamed, throwing designer clothes into leather luggage. ""Margaret knows everything! The police have the necklace, and they are running the trust audits!""
Cynthia sat at the marble kitchen island, her hands trembling as her banking apps displayed a series of flashing red notifications:
*ACCOUNT FROZEN BY ORDER OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT.*
The front door of the penthouse was suddenly breached with a concussive crash.
Six armed Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and federal marshals moved into the foyer with tactical precision.
""Federal agents! Do not move!"" Special Agent David Vance commanded, raising his badge. ""Cynthia Sterling and Victoria Sterling, you are under arrest for grand larceny, interstate kidnapping conspiracy, wire fraud, and witness tampering.""
Victoria shrieked, dropping her luggage as steel handcuffs were snapped around her manicured wrists.
""You can't do this! My father is a partner at Sterling & Vance!"" Victoria sobbed.
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""Your father was arrested at JFK Airport thirty minutes ago trying to board a private flight to Panama,"" Agent Vance replied coldly. ""You’re going to a federal holding facility, Ms. Sterling.""
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