Chapter 9 - The Missing Evidence
The flashing red and blue lights of the police cruisers illuminated the chaotic shipping yard. Marcus frantically searched the wet pavement for Lily’s stuffed rabbit, but the rain had washed away all traces of it. “The recording inside that toy is the only proof that Diana ordered the assassinations at the banquet hall,” Sarah panicked. “Without it, her high-priced lawyers will claim she was kidnapped and forced into this entire scenario by my father,” Marcus realized with dread. Diana stopped walking right before she was pushed into the back of a police cruiser. She looked directly at Marcus and mouthed the words, "I will win." Marcus knew that a woman with Diana's immense wealth could easily bribe her way out of federal custody before sunrise. He closed his eyes, desperately trying to remember the exact sequence of events from the banquet hall. Lily had carried the rabbit out of the service corridor. She had held it when they ran into the alleyway. But during the chaotic escape into the freight elevator, Marcus remembered Lily dropping something heavy. “The rabbit wasn't in the container with you,” Marcus said, looking directly into Sarah's eyes. “She dropped it in the service alley back at the hotel when my father's men ambushed us.” Arthur walked over, overhearing the frantic conversation. “My cleanup crew already sanitized that entire alleyway,” Arthur stated grimly. “Any evidence left behind was thrown into the municipal incinerator exactly an hour ago.” Sarah covered her face with her hands, completely defeated. Diana was going to walk free, and she would spend the rest of her life hunting them down for revenge. Suddenly, a loud burst of static erupted from the police radio inside the closest squad car. The dispatcher’s voice echoed clearly through the pouring rain. “All units, be advised, we are broadcasting an emergency audio file retrieved by Detective Miller at the hotel crime scene.” A familiar, scratchy audio recording began playing loudly over the police speakers. It was Diana’s cold, unmistakable voice giving a direct order to her security team. “Kill the woman, kill the child, and make sure Marcus drinks the poisoned champagne.” Diana’s confident smirk instantly vanished, completely replaced by sheer, unfiltered terror. The lead federal agent grabbed Diana roughly by the collar and shoved her aggressively into the cruiser. Marcus turned toward the squad car, completely shocked by the miraculous turn of events. Stepping out of an unmarked vehicle was Marcus’s best friend, David, holding the slightly scorched stuffed rabbit. “I may have worked for Diana to pay off my debts, Marcus,” David yelled over the rain. “But I would never let someone murder an innocent little girl.” David smiled warmly and tossed the small, ruined rabbit perfectly into Marcus’s hands.
