Chapter 10
The heavy metal door of the interrogation room clicked open once more, and Trooper Davis stepped inside, holding a thick sheaf of printed documents fresh off the precinct’s printer. He walked over and handed the papers directly to General Marcus Vance without a word.
Marcus scanned the top page, his expression remaining completely impassigned before sliding the folder across the table toward Arthur Miller.
"What is this?" Arthur demanded, his hands trembling slightly as he picked up the papers.
"That," Trooper Davis said, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, "is the formal state indictment for felony reckless endangerment, property destruction, and physical assault. Coupled with the federal sabotage charges from the Department of Defense Inspector General’s office."
Arthur stared at the text, the legal jargon swimming before his eyes. The twelve million dollars in frozen defense contracts was just the opening salvo. The federal audit was already pulling three years of payroll records, vehicle maintenance logs, and subcontractor receipts. Every shortcut Arthur had taken to maximize his profit margins was now exposed under an unforgiving federal microscope.
"This will ruin us," Arthur whispered, the color completely draining from his face as he looked at his son. "Toby... do you have any idea what you've done?"
Toby looked down at the linoleum floor, finally breaking under the sheer weight of his own consequences. There was no clever comeback left, no wealthy friend to call, no fatherly bailout coming to save him from the reality of a felony record. The red leather jacket felt like an anchor dragging him down into an abyss of his own making.
Elena walked slowly toward the door, pausing just beside Trooper Davis. She looked back at the two Miller men—the father who had taught his son that rules didn't apply to them, and the son who had finally run out of road.
"Service isn't just about wearing a uniform, Mr. Miller," Elena said quietly, her voice carrying the quiet strength of someone who had earned every scar she carried. "It’s about understanding that you are part of something bigger than your own ego. Until you learn that, you're just a liability to everyone around you."
With that, Elena stepped out of the interrogation room into the bright afternoon sunlight, letting the heavy door swing shut behind her.
Outside, the air was crisp and clean. Her uncle Marcus followed her out a moment later, lighting a small cigar as he looked across the precinct parking lot toward the idling military transport van parked near the curb.
"Well, Major," Marcus murmured, exhaling a thin stream of blue smoke into the autumn air. "What's our next move?"
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"We get back on schedule, Uncle Marcus," Elena replied, flexing her bandaged hand with a grim, determined smile. "The supply convoy has a schedule to keep, and nobody gets to slow us down."
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