Chapter 8 - The Cornered Rats
Dr. Vance didn't make it five steps.
The heavy brass fire exit doors swung open, and three armed officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, flanked by six Baltimore City Police officers, stepped into the room, blocking his path with drawn sidearms.
"Julian Vance!" the lead FBI agent declared loudly. "Freeze! Put your hands on your head!"
Dr. Vance stumbled backward, his face contorted in sheer, unadulterated terror. "Wait! It’s a setup! The footage is fake! Moretti fabricated it!"
"The footage was authenticated by the State Attorney General's Office two hours ago, Doctor," the agent stated coldly, stepping forward and slamming Vance against the marble pillar.
CLICK-CLACK.
The heavy steel handcuffs locked tightly around his wrists.
Simultaneously, four officers approached Table 4.
"Helena Marsh and Cynthia Marsh," an officer announced, pulling out two additional sets of handcuffs. "You are under arrest for First-Degree Premeditated Murder, RICO Conspiracy, Grand Larcenary, and Corporate Fraud."
"Get your filthy hands off me!" Cynthia shrieked, kicking and thrashing as her silk dress tore against the table edge. "Do you know who I am?! I am an heiress! Dileia is a penniless nobody! She set us up!"
Helena tried to grab the District Attorney’s coat as he walked past her. "Robert! Please! We served on the arts committee together! Call my lawyer!"
The District Attorney looked down at Helena with an expression of pure, razor-sharp contempt. "I suggest you save your breath for the grand jury, Helena. You’re going away for a very long time."
As the police dragged the three screaming, thrashing conspirators down the central red carpet in chains, the entire ballroom broke into thunderous, standing applause.
Dileia stood on the stage beside Vincent. She watched her cruel stepmother, her arrogant half-sister, and the murderer of her mother being paraded past the cameras of every news network in the state.
Vincent stepped beside her, holding out a glass of champagne.
"The debt is settled, Dileia," Vincent whispered softly.
May you like
Dileia looked at him, tears of relief and vindication glistening in her eyes like diamonds. "Thank you, Vincent."
"Don't thank me yet," Vincent smiled faintly. "We still have a hospital to rebuild."
