Chapter 8
Marshal Davies’s presence shut down any remaining illusion of escape. The black sedan idled with a low, rhythmic purr that seemed to vibrate straight up through the soles of Clara’s shoes. Behind her, Vance was already reading Arthur his rights in a smooth, emotionless drone, the metallic snap of the handcuffs echoing like a gunshot over the quiet grass.
"Federal Marshal Davies," Clara repeated numbly, her voice barely a whisper as she shifted Leo’s weight in her aching arms. The boy was shivering now, his small face pressed against her neck, completely overwhelmed by the sudden shift in reality. "I haven't committed any federal crimes. I was just meeting my son's grandfather."
"Your name is on the server access logs for the municipal database, Mrs. Hayes," Davies said, stepping closer without lowering her guard. Her eyes were sharp, scanning Clara from head to toe before lingering on the grey t-shirt Leo was wearing. "And right now, you're the primary person of interest in a multi-million-dollar insurance fraud investigation involving the collapse of the Elm Street overpass."
"That's a lie!" Clara cried out, her voice cracking with indignation. "Arthur used my credentials without my permission! I have the resignation emails saved on my personal server at home!"
"Which was seized by the field team twenty minutes ago," Davies replied flatly, gesturing toward the idling sedan. "Get in the car, Mrs. Hayes. We're going downtown to verify your digital footprint."
"I can't leave my son in a police car!" Clara protested, backing away a step, her arms tightening instinctively around Leo.
"He's coming with us under protective custody until a relative from out of state can be verified," Davies said, her tone leaving zero room for negotiation. Two uniformed officers appeared from behind the sedan, their faces obscured by mirrored sunglasses, blocking Clara’s path to the left and right.
Tracey stood a few yards away, watching silently as Arthur was pushed into the back of Vance’s unmarked cruiser. The little girl looked terrified, her small hands clutching the hem of her white t-shirt until her knuckles turned white.
"Leo!" Tracey called out softly, her voice barely audible over the engine noise.
Leo lifted his head from Clara’s shoulder, tears finally spilling over his eyelashes as he reached out a small hand toward his friend. "Tracey! Don't let them take me!"
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Clara’s heart broke into a million pieces. She lunged forward toward Tracey to grab her hand too, but Marshal Davies stepped directly into her path, placing a firm, gloved hand against Clara’s chest to stop her momentum.
"Step into the vehicle, Mrs. Hayes," Davies commanded coldly. "This situation is far larger than you realize, and every second you waste stalls the containment protocol."
