Chapter 6
While Arthur was securing the future of the Brooklyn community center, Miller and his team of private investigators were systematically closing the geographic net around him. By cross-referencing subway station turnstile cameras with transit card usage and eyewitness reports from Penn Station, Miller’s analysts had successfully tracked Arthur’s digital and physical trail across the river into Brooklyn. Miller sat in the back of a black SUV parked three blocks away from Elena’s community center, reviewing satellite maps and surveillance photographs on his laptop. He picked up his encrypted satellite phone and dialed Marcus Vance.
"We have a confirmed location, Mr. Vance," Miller reported coldly. "He dropped a massive cash donation at a non-profit legal aid office run by an old acquaintance of his, Elena Martinez. He’s traveling light, but he still has one bag remaining." On the other end of the line, Marcus’s breathing was shallow and erratic. "I don’t care about the money anymore," Marcus hissed. "Recover the remaining cash, but make sure he doesn't reach federal custody. If he testifies about the offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands, we are finished. Do whatever it takes to silence him permanently, Miller. Make it look like an accident." Miller’s expression remained entirely neutral; he was a mercenary of the corporate world, accustomed to executing gray-area directives without moral hesitation. He closed his laptop, signaled the two operatives in the front seats, and put the SUV into drive.
Inside the community center, Arthur and Elena sat at a small round table in the back office, reviewing financial ledgers. Elena looked up from the papers, her expression grave. "Arthur, you realize federal agents are raiding Vance & Sterling as we speak? Your name is all over the news. They’re calling you the mastermind behind the collapse." Arthur nodded slowly, showing no surprise. "I know. That’s why I left my phone and my accounts behind. I’m going to walk into federal plaza tomorrow morning and give them everything they need. But until then, I need to finish distributing the rest of this money." Elena reached out, placing her hand gently over his. "You’re putting a target on your back, Arthur. Marcus won't let you testify." Before Arthur could respond, a sudden, heavy thud echoed from the front entrance of the community center. The heavy wooden door swung open, and two burly men in dark suits stepped inside, their eyes scanning the room with cold, predatory precision.
