Chapter 9 - A Desperate Gambit
The deafening sound of a gunshot echoed through the massive warehouse.
Elena squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the burning pain.
Instead, Julian screamed and dropped his weapon.
His shoulder exploded in a mist of blood.
Suddenly, floodlights blinded everyone in the room.
Dozens of heavily armed FBI agents swarmed from the catwalks above.
“FBI! Drop your weapons!” a voice boomed over a megaphone.
Elena had not called the local police; she had called the federal task force investigating the Russian syndicate.
Alex tackled Julian to the ground, pinning him hard against the concrete floor.
Agents quickly handcuffed Julian and his armed thugs, dragging them away.
Alex rushed over to Elena and pulled her into a desperate, crushing embrace.
“You gave up the hotel for me,” he whispered against her hair, his voice thick with emotion.
“I proved the letter was a fake, Alex,” she sobbed, burying her face in his chest.
“I know, I know,” he soothed, holding her tighter.
The lead FBI agent, a stern woman in a tactical vest, walked over to them.
She held the master deed that Julian had dropped on the floor.
“Ms. Vance, Mr. Sterling, you are both safe now,” the agent said.
Elena pulled away from Alex and let out a huge sigh of relief.
“Thank you, Agent. That document proves the hotel still belongs to my family.”
The agent did not smile.
She looked at the signatures at the bottom of the deed.
“Actually, Ms. Vance, you signed this document over to a shell corporation twenty minutes ago.”
Elena frowned in confusion.
“I had to sign it to get Julian to agree to the hostage exchange.”
The agent placed a heavy hand on Elena’s shoulder.
“That shell corporation is currently under federal indictment for funding international terrorism.”
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The agent pulled out a pair of steel handcuffs.
“Elena Vance, you are under arrest for treason and conspiracy against the United States.”
