Chapter 10 - The Ultimate Victory
Claire realized instantly that Detective Owens had survived the diner encounter and fed the local police a fabricated story.
She slowly dropped to her knees, raising her hands high in the air while shielding Ava with her body.
She shouted at the commanding officer to check the USB drive evidence she had sent directly to the State Bureau of Investigation.
Before the local officer could move forward to handcuff her, a line of sleek black government SUVs tore onto the grass.
A team of federal FBI agents stepped out of the vehicles, pushing past the confused local police force.
The lead agent approached the commanding officer, flashed a federal badge, and officially took over the crime scene.
The agent ordered his team to arrest David for massive financial fraud, judicial bribery, and domestic terrorism.
Margaret screamed in outrage as federal handcuffs were locked tightly around her wrists for conspiracy to commit murder.
The lead agent walked over to Claire, gently helped her to her feet, and assured her that Detective Owens was already in federal custody.
The nightmare that had haunted Claire for years was finally, completely over.
The very next morning, an emergency federal judge reviewed the mountain of evidence and granted Claire full, permanent, and undisputed custody of Ava.
A month later, Claire and Ava packed their belongings into a rented moving truck and drove across the country to a beautiful, sunlit beach house in California.
They spent their first evening watching the sunset over the ocean, finally enjoying the peaceful, happy life they had always deserved.
Claire smiled as she unpacked Ava's old backpack on the kitchen counter, feeling completely free from the shadows of her past.
At the bottom of the bag, she discovered a sleek, black burner smartphone that she had never seen before.
May you like
The phone suddenly vibrated to life, ringing loudly as an unknown, blocked number flashed across the bright screen.
Claire hesitantly pressed the answer button, and a distorted, chilling voice whispered, “Did you really think Margaret was the one pulling the strings?”
