My biological father bought me a car for my seventeenth birthday, then looked straight at my stepdad and said, “Now he knows who his real father is.”

I spent the entire night wide awake on a massive, incredibly uncomfortable silk couch.

I listened to the faint sounds of the city traffic below, running through my dangerous plan over and over again.

I had the recording of Richard confessing to his conspiracy with Brenda on my phone.

But I knew a secret audio recording on a cell phone might not be legally admissible in a courtroom.

I needed official documentation, or I needed to trick his own lawyer into witnessing the crime.

At exactly nine o'clock the next morning, there was a sharp knock on the penthouse door.

Richard answered it, looking completely refreshed in a tailored navy blue suit.

A tall, very severe-looking man in a gray trench coat walked into the room carrying a leather briefcase.

"Leo, this is my attorney, Mr. Vance," Richard introduced smoothly.

Mr. Vance did not smile as he placed the heavy briefcase on the glass coffee table.

He snapped the brass locks open and pulled out a fresh stack of legal documents.

"Sign exactly where the yellow tabs are marked, young man," Mr. Vance instructed in a gravelly voice.

I picked up the heavy gold pen Richard handed me, letting my hand tremble visibly.

"If I sign this, you drop the fake extortion charges against my mom?" I asked loudly, making sure the room heard me.

Richard rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed by my hesitation.

"Yes, Leo, I will delete the manipulated tape," Richard admitted impatiently.

I looked directly at Mr. Vance, hoping he would react to the word 'manipulated'.

Mr. Vance simply stared back at me with absolutely no emotion on his face.

I slowly brought the pen down to the signature line, stalling for as much time as possible.

Suddenly, Mr. Vance reached out and clamped his hand firmly over my wrist.

"Do not sign that paper, kid," Mr. Vance commanded sharply.

Richard took a step forward, his face turning an angry shade of red.

"What exactly do you think you are doing, Vance?" Richard demanded angrily.

Mr. Vance reached into his trench coat pocket and pulled out a shiny gold badge.

When my newborn 'passed away,' my mother-in-law leaned in and said

My Husband Left Me Alone in My Car While I Was in Labor

“You’re Dead When We Get Home,” He Snapped

"My name is Agent Vance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation," he announced loudly.

"And we have been building a massive fraud case against you for the last three years, Richard."

Chapter 7 - The Wire