Chapter 13 - The Law Arrives
The dawn broke cold and gray over the industrial basin, casting pale light across the wreckage of Mark Vance’s criminal empire. Over thirty state troopers and federal agents from the Department of Justice swarmed the railyard, establishing a massive crime scene perimeter. Corrupt local deputies were being disarmed, stripped of their badges, and led away in zip-ties right in front of the municipal precinct they had disgraced.
David sat on the open tailgate of an emergency medical services ambulance, wrapped in an insulated foil blanket, holding a warm cup of sweet tea. Lily was curled asleep on his lap, completely exhausted, wrapped securely in dry blankets, her small fingers still loosely coiled around his silver dog tags.
A tall, sharp-featured woman in a dark windbreaker bearing the letters FBI approached the ambulance, accompanied by Eli Vance, who was sipping coffee and looking ten years younger.
""Staff Sergeant David Miller?"" the woman asked, presenting her credentials. ""I’m Special Agent Karen Vance—no relation to the suspects, fortunately. State Director of Criminal Investigations.""
David looked up, his eyes weary but sharp. ""Is the perimeter secure, Agent Vance?""
""More than secure, Sergeant. Thanks to the digital ledger you and former Chief Vance extracted from that terminal, we have executed seventeen arrest warrants across three counties in the last two hours. Mark Vance is in federal custody facing life sentences for extortion, human trafficking, and conspiracy to commit murder. Detective Briggs just gave a full confession to save himself from a capital indictment.""
""And Sarah?"" David asked quietly, his jaw tightening slightly.
Agent Vance grimaced. ""Customs and Border Protection intercepted her at Miami International Airport forty minutes ago as she attempted to board a chartered flight to the Bahamas. The three hundred thousand dollars has been frozen and will be restored to Lily’s inheritance trust fund under independent, federal court oversight.""
David let out a long, slow breath that he felt like he had been holding for nine agonizing months. He looked down at his sleeping daughter, whose breathing was finally deep, even, and peaceful.
""What happens to my service record?"" David asked. ""I went unauthorized off base to reach her.""
Agent Vance looked at the decorated soldier, then glanced over at Eli, who gave a subtle, approving nod. ""Your commanding officer at Fort Bragg was contacted two hours ago by the Assistant Attorney General. As far as the United States Army is concerned, you were executing an emergency protective retrieval mission authorized by federal inter-agency cooperation. Your honorable discharge papers were already processed yesterday. You’re a free civilian, Mr. Miller.""
May you like
David closed his eyes, a solitary tear cutting a clean path through the soot on his cheek. ""Thank you.""
""Don't thank us,"" Agent Vance said softly. ""Thank that little girl. Her call was the only reason we were able to pull the plug on this whole corrupt machine.""
