Chapter 5 - The Trap Springs Shut
In the central hallway, Victor Langford was rushing toward the private study where Ethan had locked the evidence glass. He had used Keller’s distraction in the guest wing to slip past the main security desk, keycard in hand, desperate to destroy the toxicological proof before the state police arrived.
He reached the security prep room, swiped his master administrator card, and pushed the door open.
The room was dark, illuminated only by the faint green light of a computer monitor on the desk. On the center table sat the sealed glass container holding Preston’s wineglass.
Victor let out a desperate, maniacal breath. “Got you.”
He pulled a heavy steel rod from his jacket, lunging forward to smash the glass container to pieces.
CLICK.
Blinding white floodlights suddenly snapped on from all four corners of the ceiling, illuminating the room with the harsh brilliance of a surgical theater.
Victor covered his eyes, stumbling backward.
“I wouldn't swing that if I were you, Victor,” a cold voice spoke from the corner.
Victor lowered his arm, his eyes adjusting to the blinding glare.
Standing beside the desk was Preston Hale, flanked by Ethan Brooks and four armed officers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol and federal law enforcement. Beside them stood a court reporter holding a recording camera, capturing every single second of the intrusion on high-definition video.
Victor’s breath hitched in his throat. The steel rod slipped from his sweaty palm, clattering loudly against the concrete floor.
“Preston...” Victor stuttered, his face draining of every last drop of blood. “I... I heard shots in the guest wing! I came to secure the room for you!”
“Save it, Victor,” Ethan said calmly, holding up his phone screen. “Your mercenary, Keller, has already been disarmed and apprehended in the west wing. He’s currently confessing to federal agents that you paid him two hundred thousand dollars to eliminate the maid and her daughter.”
Victor’s knees buckled. He grabbed the edge of the table to keep himself from collapsing. “No... no, that's a lie! He’s setting me up!”
Preston walked slowly up to his former business partner. He didn't raise his fist, and he didn't raise his voice. His expression was one of profound, utter disappointment.
“Fifteen years, Victor,” Preston said softly, his voice trembling with a mixture of sadness and cold fury. “I trusted you with my company. I trusted you with my life. You were going to let four thousand factory workers lose their jobs and their homes just so you could pocket sixty million dollars from a scrap-metal equity firm.”
“Preston, please!” Victor fell to his knees, clutching at Preston’s trousers, his voice dissolving into pathetic, desperate blubbering. “It was Vanguard Apex! They threatened me! They forced my hand! I didn't want to hurt you!”
Preston stepped back, pulling his trousers away from Victor’s grasp as if touching something filthy.
“Take him away,” Preston ordered quietly.
May you like
The federal agents stepped forward, grabbing Victor by his arms, twisting them behind his back, and snapping cold steel handcuffs around his wrists. As Victor was dragged out of the room, weeping and pleading for mercy, Preston turned his back, staring at the sealed wineglass on the table.
The battle for Hale Meridian was far from over, but the snake inside the house had finally been removed.
