Chapter 5 - The Federal Deal
Vincent instantly reached for a weapon he did not have.
His body screamed in agony, forcing him back down onto the examination table.
Agent Carter did not even flinch at the sudden movement.
He calmly put his FBI badge back into the inner pocket of his tailored suit.
"Relax, Mr. Martini," Carter advised smoothly.
"If I wanted to arrest you, I would have let Detective Miller do the dirty work at the hospital."
Mary stood frozen near the medical cabinet, her hands trembling slightly.
"How did you find this clinic?" she demanded, glaring at the agent.
Carter chuckled, walking slowly into the harsh overhead light.
"I have known about this clinic for five years, Mary."
"I am the one who makes sure the health department looks the other way."
Vincent stared at Mary, his mind reeling from the betrayal.
"You work for the FBI?" Vincent asked, his voice cracking with hurt.
Mary refused to look at him.
"I treat informants," she confessed quietly.
"I stitch up the people the federal government wants to keep alive without creating a paper trail."
Carter clapped his hands together slowly, a mocking gesture of applause.
"She is a true patriot, Vincent."
"But her services are no longer enough to keep her out of federal prison."
Carter leaned against the stainless steel counter, crossing his arms.
"I want the Martini family ledger."
"I want the book that contains every corrupt judge, police officer, and politician you own."
Vincent let out a harsh, bloody laugh.
"That ledger is a myth."
"It does not exist."
Carter sighed heavily, looking at Mary with feigned sympathy.
"It is a shame he is so stubborn, Dr. Andrews."
"Because if he doesn't give me the ledger, I am going to tell him the truth about the fire ten years ago."
Mary's head snapped up, pure terror flashing in her dark eyes.
"Don't," she pleaded.
Vincent struggled to sit up, his gaze locking onto the federal agent.
"What truth?" Vincent demanded.
Carter smiled wickedly.
"Mary didn't miraculously crawl out of that burning warehouse, Vincent."
"Someone dragged her out before the roof collapsed."
"Someone who wanted to keep her as leverage against you."
Carter pointed a finger directly at Vincent's chest.
May you like
"Rico pulled her out."
"And Rico handed her directly to us."
