Chapter 9 - The Distraction
The realization hit me like a physical blow to the chest as the corrupt FBI agent smiled down at me.
Richard had not just bought the local police; he had infiltrated the highest levels of federal law enforcement.
The agent unholstered his weapon and pointed it directly at my face, dropping all pretense of being a savior.
"Get on your knees, both of you," the agent commanded, motioning for his heavily armed men to surround us.
Sarah and I slowly dropped to the wet pavement, the cold stone biting into my tired knees.
I looked at Sarah, feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt for dragging this brave young woman into a deadly family war.
Sarah did not look defeated; she looked fiercely determined as she subtly reached into her pocket.
She pulled out a small, metallic object and hurled it violently toward the bank's massive glass windows.
It was a tactical smoke grenade she had taken from the hidden safe in the nursing home basement.
The grenade exploded upon impact, instantly filling the street with a blinding, choking cloud of thick white smoke.
"Grab the ledger!" Sarah screamed, diving into the chaotic white fog.
The corrupt agents coughed wildly, firing their weapons blindly into the air as they lost all visibility.
I scrambled across the pavement, my hands searching frantically until I felt the smooth leather of the ledger.
The lead agent had dropped it when the smoke grenade detonated right beside his feet.
I grabbed the book and crawled blindly toward a solid metal postal drop box bolted to the sidewalk.
I shoved the ledger into the narrow slot, listening to it drop safely into the secure metal bin where no corrupt agent could easily retrieve it.
I pulled out the burner phone and quickly recorded a video explaining exactly where the evidence was hidden.
I hit send, broadcasting the video to every major news outlet and legitimate federal tip line in the country.
Suddenly, a heavy hand grabbed the back of my sweater and hauled me violently to my feet.
The smoke began to clear, revealing Richard standing over me with a look of pure, unadulterated rage.
He shoved me hard against the brick wall of the bank, pressing the cold barrel of a gun against my forehead.
"You ruined everything, you miserable old witch, and now you are going to die right here," Richard spat in my face.
I looked him dead in the eyes, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.
"I already sent the evidence to the press, Richard, it is entirely over for you," I said with absolute calm.
Richard laughed, a cruel, echoing sound that filled the silent street.
"I will just kill you, bribe the press, and buy my way out of this like I always do," he threatened, pulling the hammer back on his gun.
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Before Richard could pull the trigger, the deafening roar of heavy diesel engines echoed down the city block.
A massive convoy of armored, military-grade SUVs smashed violently through the police barricades and skidded to a halt directly in front of the bank.
