Chapter 5 - The Footlocker Opened
Kendra screamed, rushing forward to grab the federal agent’s sleeve, but a second agent firmly stepped between them.
"What are you doing to my husband?" Kendra shrieked hysterically.
"Bradley runs a legitimate surplus consulting business! He served this country!"
Special Agent Reynolds pulled a laminated federal search warrant from his breast pocket, presenting it to Kendra.
"Mrs.
Vance, your husband was dishonorably discharged six years ago for stealing night-vision optics and classified targeting modules from Fort Hood."
"For the past eighteen months, he has been fencing stolen defense inventory through an unregistered shell company registered under your home address."
"Furthermore, we have documentation proving he diverted your family’s private trust funds into an illicit offshore account in Belize."
My mother Beatrice gasped, clutching the back of a lawn chair as her knees gave out completely.
"Our family trust?" Beatrice cried out, looking at Kendra with mounting horror.
"The three hundred thousand dollars your late father left for Lucas and Maya’s college education?"
"Bradley told me that money was invested in government treasury bonds!"
Bradley kept his head down, refusing to look at his weeping mother-in-law or his panicked wife.
"He didn't invest a single penny in treasury bonds, Mom," I said, walking toward the center of the patio.
"He used the college fund as collateral to secure a warehouse lease for his smuggling syndicate."
"And he spent the rest on his lifted truck, his gold jewelry, and country club memberships to pretend he was an elite warrior."
Lucas stepped beside me, his voice steady for the first time in years.
"That’s why you always picked on me, wasn't it, Uncle Bradley?"
"You were terrified that if anyone in this family looked too closely at real courage, we would see what a fake you really are."
Bradley snarled through his teeth, glaring at Lucas.
"Shut your mouth, you little punk!"
"Agent Reynolds," General Vance commanded coldly.
"Escort the prisoner to the command vehicle."
"Major Hayes, we require your authorization to breach the detached workshop in the backyard."
"The munitions manifest indicates high-explosive ordnance may be stored within civilian residential limits."
May you like
I nodded without hesitation.
"Breach it, General."
