Chapter 13 - The Broadcast
The television screen in the private study blared with breaking news banners as the national anchor’s voice echoed through the sprawling estate.
“Breaking tonight: Federal authorities have raided the suburban estate of rising political powerhouse Julian Vance, arresting both Julian and his brother Marcus on sweeping federal charges of corruption, insider trading, and suspected homicide related to the death of Senator Marcus Vance...”
Clara sat on the edge of the leather sofa, watching the screen with a blank, emotionless expression. The burgundy pantsuit she wore now felt like a costume from a life that belonged to someone else entirely. Across the room, Elena was typing furiously on her laptop, uploading the contents of the manila folder and the audio transcript of the confession to her news syndicate’s secure server.
"The story is live," Elena said quietly, hitting the final upload button. "Within ten minutes, every major outlet will have the full documentation of the adoption fraud, the financial corruption, and the murder conspiracy."
Just as the words left her mouth, a heavy, urgent pounding echoed from the front foyer.
Clara flinched, but Elena didn't even look up from her screen.
The front door didn't just knock this time—it was unlocked from the outside with a master key. Step by heavy step, a tall figure in a tailored suit walked down the hallway toward the study.
It wasn't an FBI agent. It was Julian Vance.
Clara stood up so fast her chair scraped loudly against the floor. Her eyes widened in absolute shock as Julian walked into the room. He looked disheveled, his navy blue suit jacket removed, his red tie loosened around his collar, but his eyes burned with a manic, desperate energy.
"Did you really think a few federal indictments and a rigged bail hearing could stop me, Clara?" Julian laughed, a chilling, hollow sound. He reached inside his jacket pocket, pulling out a small, snub-nosed revolver that gleamed dully under the study lamp.
"Julian, put the gun down," Clara whispered, backing away toward the heavy mahogany desk. "It’s over. The entire country knows what you did."
May you like
"It's only over when I say it's over," Julian snarled, raising the weapon and pointing it directly at his wife's chest. "And I'm not going down alone."
---
