Chapter 12 - Out of the Shadows
The federal agents poured into the penthouse lobby like a rising tide, their riot shields up and weapons drawn, securing the perimeter within seconds. Two agents in heavy tactical gear immediately seized Voss, shoving him hard against the wall and snapping heavy steel cuffs around his wrists with a sharp, metallic click.
Voss didn't resist. His head hung low, his expensive silver hair matted with sweat and soot as he was hauled toward the elevators, defeated not by a bullet, but by the relentless exposure of his own greed.
Dante stood motionless in the center of the chaos, watching him go without a word of triumph. His breathing was heavy, the adrenaline finally beginning to wear off, leaving a dull, throbbing ache radiating from his torn shoulder and abdominal stitches.
A senior federal investigator in a plain dark suit stepped through the ranks of agents, holding an encrypted data drive pulled straight from the sub-level mainframe. He looked up at Dante with a critical, knowing eye.
“Mr. Marchesi,” the investigator said, his voice flat and professional. “We received your digital upload. The financial records, the council wire transfers, the shipping manifests... it’s all here. Enough to indict half the municipal government.”
“Make sure the other half goes down too,” Dante replied coldly, his voice like grinding stone.
The investigator nodded slowly. “An ambulance is waiting downstairs to take you back to a secure medical facility. Proper medical facility this time.”
May you like
Dante shook his head, turning his gaze away from the agents toward the massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The storm was finally breaking outside, the first rays of dawn piercing through the heavy grey clouds, painting the skyline in shades of bruised gold and crimson.
“I’m done with hospitals,” Dante muttered, reaching down to rest his calloused hand gently on Bruno’s massive, loyal head. The dog leaned into his touch, letting out a soft, contented exhale.
