Chapter 8 - The Takedown
"You," David whispered, his eyes darting between me and the heavily armed federal agents. "What is this? You can't do this!"
"I am Captain [My Name], United States Navy," I said, my voice echoing in the ruined foyer. "And I don't need to do anything. You did this to yourself, David."
Agent Vance stepped forward, holding up a tablet. "David [Last Name], you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, identity theft, and violations of the Espionage Act. You transmitted classified military data to a foreign entity."
"It wasn't classified!" David shrieked, the reality of his situation breaking his mind. "She left it on her desk! She's careless!"
"It was a honeypot, David," I said softly, stepping closer to him. He flinched. "The data was fake. But the intent to sell it to an enemy of the state? That was very real. And thanks to your mother calling base command to establish your little 'insanity' alibi, we have her on tape as an accessory to the fraud."
Barbara, sobbing uncontrollably on the couch, looked up at me. The arrogant, triumphant woman who had stood over my bed with kitchen shears was gone, replaced by a pathetic, broken old woman in handcuffs.
"Please," she begged, tears ruining her face. "Please, I didn't know about the spying! I just wanted you to quit! I just wanted my son to be the man of the house!"
"You wanted control," I corrected her, staring down without an ounce of pity. "You thought you could strip me of my power by cutting off my hair and demanding obedience. But power isn't in hair, Barbara. It’s in the mind. And you are both completely outmatched."
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"Get them out of my house," I told Vance.
Agents hauled them to their feet. As David was dragged past me, he looked at my shaved head, the physical manifestation of his final, failed attempt to break me. I didn't look away. I held his gaze until they shoved him into the back of the armored transport.
