Chapter 13 - The Shadow Broker
I stared at the cardboard box in Vance’s hands, completely unable to process his words.
"What do you mean the money is gone?" I demanded, my voice echoing slightly in the empty parking lot.
"The federal honeypot is impenetrable without a judge's direct authorization."
Vance unlocked his car and tossed the heavy box of files onto the passenger seat.
"Someone presented a signed, notarized judicial order to release the funds back to your corporate attorney three hours ago," Vance explained grimly.
David had moved incredibly fast, leveraging his impeccable legal reputation to bypass the federal safeguards.
"When I flagged the transfer as highly suspicious, my superiors immediately revoked my badge and fired me," Vance continued.
"Whoever is pulling the strings just bought the entire federal oversight committee."
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as the sheer scale of David's corruption became clear.
He wasn't just a greedy corporate lawyer; he was a master manipulator controlling every angle of the board.
"It is David," I told Vance plainly. "My attorney orchestrated the entire conspiracy."
Vance leaned against his car, his eyes narrowing as he processed the explosive information.
"If David has the money, why did you receive a threat at your house?" Vance asked sharply.
"He wants me running scared," I realized aloud. "He wants me to flee the country so I look incredibly guilty."
If I disappeared tonight, David would claim I was the true mastermind fleeing from justice.
He would retain permanent control of my company while I became an international fugitive.
"We have to prove he forged that judicial order," I declared, feeling a new surge of absolute defiance.
Vance shook his head, a cynical smile crossing his face.
"He is entirely too smart to leave a digital paper trail, Maya."
"If we want to destroy him, we have to catch him physically holding the stolen assets."
I looked out at the glowing city skyline, my mind racing through thousands of corporate security protocols.
"David doesn't know that I know the truth yet," I said slowly, a dangerous plan forming in my mind.
"He thinks I am blindly driving to his private airstrip to meet him."
I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and typed a rapid message to David.
I told him my car broke down on the highway, and I was taking a taxi to my downtown corporate headquarters to hide.
"I am going to lure him into the one building I completely control," I told Vance.
"My office is a fortress, and I still have master access to the building's physical security grid."
May you like
Vance pulled a backup, unregistered firearm from his ankle holster and checked the magazine.
"Let's go hunt a lawyer," Vance said.
