Chapter 17 - The Clean Escape
I stood over Richard's paralyzed form, feeling no pity, only a profound sense of justice. His breathing was shallow but steady, trapped forever inside his own failed biology.
I moved quickly. I picked up his master laptop, placed it inside a specialized Faraday bag to block any remote access, and shoved it into my large evening clutch. I took out a microfiber cloth and meticulously wiped down the crystal glasses, the desk, and the door handles, erasing any physical trace of my presence in the penthouse.
I looked at Richard one last time. His eyes followed my movements, practically begging for mercy.
"Your board of directors is expecting a major announcement at midnight," I told him quietly. "I think the authorities will be very interested in what you have to say."
I stepped out of the suite, locking the heavy oak door behind me. I took the VIP elevator down to the lobby level, completely bypassing the grand ballroom where the gala was reaching its peak. The valet brought my car around, and I tipped him generously, offering a polite, flawless smile.
I drove straight to the designated safe location in the industrial district. An unmarked black SUV was waiting in the shadows of an abandoned warehouse. Two federal agents stepped out as I approached.
I handed over the Faraday bag containing the laptop and a thick manila envelope holding physical copies of the Genesis Protocol files, the financial transfers, and a signed confession from Valerie that I had secured weeks ago.
"Is this everything?" the lead agent asked, verifying the contents.
"It is the entire empire," I confirmed. "Check the penthouse at the Plaza Hotel. You will find Richard Vance suffering from an unfortunate, self-inflicted medical emergency. I suggest bringing a medical transport unit."
The agent nodded, signaling his partner. The takedown was already in motion.
I got back into my car and drove away, watching the city lights blur in my rearview mirror. For the first time in years, the crushing weight of paranoia and fear was completely gone. I pulled over by a quiet bridge overlooking the river, rolled down the window, and tossed the encrypted flash drive into the dark, rushing water below. It was the final piece of evidence tying me to the illegal hack. I was completely clean.
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My phone buzzed in my passenger seat. It was a news alert. Breaking: CEO Richard Vance Found Unresponsive at Corporate Gala. Federal Authorities Raid Vitalis Health Headquarters.
I smiled, putting the car in drive and merging onto the highway, disappearing into the night.
