Chapter 7 - The Jurisdiction Battle
The heavy silence that followed Assistant Attorney General Thomas’s declaration felt heavier than the grand marble pillars supporting the atrium. Agent Vance didn’t move an inch, keeping his weapon firmly leveled at Marcus while his eyes locked onto the newcomer with undisguised hostility.
"I don't care who signed your transfer order, Thomas," Agent Vance said, his voice dropping an octave into a dangerous register. "We have an active crime scene, a assaulted security guard, and corporate executives caught red-handed suppressing lethal pharmaceutical data that has already hospitalized fourteen children."
Assistant Attorney General Thomas didn't blink. He walked slowly across the pristine marble, stepping carefully around the spilled oil puddle as if it were a minor inconvenience on his morning commute.
"The Department of Justice has reviewed the preliminary scope of this investigation and determined that federal overreach is at play," Thomas replied smoothly, his tone reeking of institutional bureaucracy and untouchable power. "The pharmaceutical compound in question falls under an expedited national security exemption signed by the executive branch last month. This entire facility is operating under a classified federal mandate."
Clara pulled herself up slightly on her elbows, ignoring the blinding pain in her spine, and stared at Thomas in utter disbelief.
"National security?" Clara shouted, her voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings. "It's a synthetic neuro-inhibitor meant for experimental cancer therapy that was rushed into pediatric trials without proper animal testing! It causes irreversible organ failure! That's not national security, that's mass manslaughter!"
Thomas glanced down at Clara for a fraction of a second, his expression entirely devoid of human empathy, before looking back at Agent Vance.
"Get this disgruntled employee medical attention and remove her from the premises," Thomas ordered dismissively. "And release Marcus immediately. His work is vital to ongoing defense logistics."
Julian stood up slowly, brushing a speck of dust off the sleeve of his dark suit. The marshals holding Marcus looked uncertainly at Agent Vance, waiting for a command that could spark an unprecedented constitutional showdown right in the middle of a hospital lobby.
"I won't let you walk out of here," Agent Vance whispered fiercely, stepping closer to Thomas. "I have the physical hard copies of the patient intake forms locked in a secure vault off-site. You can't bury this."
Thomas smiled—a cold, thin curve of his lips that didn't reach his eyes.
"Agent Vance, off-site vaults can be reclassified under eminent domain before you even finish your shift," Thomas replied softly, leaning in close. "And as for those physical hard copies... I'd suggest you call your precinct captain right now and ask about the status of your evidence locker."
Agent Vance’s phone buzzed aggressively in his tactical vest pocket. He pulled it out with one hand, his eyes never leaving Thomas, and tapped the screen.
May you like
As Vance listened to the frantic voice on the other end of the line, the color drained entirely from his face.
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