Chapter 6 - The Trap Snaps Shut
The next morning, the rain poured down over the federal building in downtown Cleveland.
Richard Vance walked into the private conference room on the fifth floor, flanked by two lawyers in custom-tailored suits. He looked victorious, a smirk plastered across his face as he saw me sitting at the end of the mahogany table.
“Ah, Ethan. Prompt as always,” Richard smiled, pulling out a chair. “I assume you brought the patent transfer paperwork? Let’s get this over with. I have a lunch meeting at one.”
“I didn't bring the patent paperwork, Richard,” I said, leaning back in my chair, folding my hands.
Richard’s smirk faltered. “Excuse me? I thought we made ourselves clear yesterday. If you want to keep your little family out of the mud, you sign.”
“We did make ourselves clear,” I nodded.
I tapped my fingers on the table. The side door of the conference room opened, and instead of my lawyers, three federal agents in windbreakers marked FBI walked in, led by a stern-faced woman with a badge clipped to her belt.
“Richard Vance?” the lead agent asked.
Richard stood up, his face losing its color. “What is the meaning of this? Ethan, what game are you playing?”
“Mr. Vance, you are under arrest for federal extortion, corporate espionage, and the bribery of a state official,” the agent announced, producing a warrant. “We have recovered the wire transfer logs to the state trade commission, as well as an audio recording of you admitting to the extortion of Ethan Carter and the fabrication of tax documents.”
Richard’s lawyers immediately stepped back, raising their hands defensively. “We represent Mr. Vance in civil corporate matters only. We have no knowledge of these allegations.”
“You... you bastard!” Richard snarled, lunging across the table toward me, his face twisted in a mask of pure, ugly rage. “I made you! I could have ruined you!”
The agents quickly tackled him to the floor, pulling his arms behind his back and clicking the steel handcuffs into place. As they dragged him out of the room, screaming threats and curses, I stood up and straightened my jacket.
For the first time in fourteen months, the heavy, suffocating weight on my chest was completely gone. The man who had broken my marriage, stolen my peace, and forced my family into the cold was finally going to pay for his crimes.
I walked out of the room and headed straight to the lobby, where Claire was waiting for me, holding the twins in a double stroller, my mother standing protectively beside her.
May you like
As soon as Claire saw my face, she let out a breath she seemed to have been holding for a lifetime.
“It’s over, Claire,” I said, walking to her and taking her into my arms, holding her close against my chest. “He’s gone. He’s never going to hurt us again.”
