Chapter 14 - The Checkmate
The boardroom dissolved into an uproar. Board members stood up, shouting over one another, while Arthur slammed his palm against the mahogany table, demanding that building security remove the intruders.
""Security cannot remove a federal marshal, Mr. Vance,"" the lead officer said, stepping forward and laying a thick manila envelope directly onto Arthur’s agenda. ""United States District Court, Southern District. Subpoena for all financial records pertaining to the Northern Star registry and the offshore accounts held at Banque Nationale de Genève.""
Arthur’s eyes darted frantically to Graves, who was standing near the doorway. But Graves avoided his employer's gaze, slowly taking a step backward into the corridor, where two plainclothes FBI agents were waiting with open handcuffs.
""You traded me away,"" Arthur whispered, realizing his security chief had bargained for immunity during the early hours of the morning.
""No, Arthur,"" Julian said, stepping forward until he was standing directly across the table from his father. ""You traded your family away for a third seat on an insurance syndicate thirty years ago. We just closed the account.""
Elena stepped up beside Julian. Leo had awakened, his curious hazel eyes tracking the flashing lights of the harbor through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Elena placed Julian's leather journal onto the center of the table.
""Here is the forensic audit,"" Elena announced, her voice ringing clear and steady across the hushed boardroom. ""Every board member present should check pages twelve through fifteen. Your personal indemnity bonds were used as collateral for Judge Callahan's bribery payments. If Arthur remains CEO for another ten minutes, the federal government will freeze all corporate assets, including your private portfolios.""
The senior director at the far end of the table, an octogenarian named Miller, looked up from the open pages, his face pale with fury. He turned toward Arthur.
""Arthur Vance,"" Miller said, his voice trembling with indignation. ""The board moves for an immediate vote of no confidence. I call the question.""
""Aye,"" Eleanor Vance declared instantly.
""Aye,"" Julian said, his voice deep and final.
""Aye,"" echoed five other board members in rapid succession.
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Arthur Vance looked around the room, finding only cold, contemptuous stares from men who had celebrated his birthdays for forty years. He slowly lowered himself into his high-backed leather chair, his hands trembling violently.
""Get out of my seat, Arthur,"" Eleanor commanded softly. ""You have a transport waiting. And this one isn't private.""
