Chapter 9 - The Final Audit
Victor Moretti motioned toward the grand double doors of the manor. "Come inside, Miss Rivera. We have matters to discuss. Business, and perhaps something more permanent."
Tessa hesitated for a fraction of a second, looking back at her faded Guardian Shipping delivery van parked against the backdrop of the dark mountain wilderness. Then she looked down at Caesar, who bumped his massive head gently against her knee, as if urging her forward.
"Lead the way," Tessa said.
Inside, the study was vast and warm, lined with dark mahogany bookshelves, a roaring stone fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the valley. Vance closed the heavy oak doors behind them, standing guard near the entrance.
Victor walked over to a heavy mahogany desk, picked up a thick manila folder, and tossed it gently onto the polished wood surface in front of Tessa.
"Director Cowell and his associates are currently awaiting federal arraignment," Victor said calmly, pouring two glasses of amber whiskey from a heavy crystal decanter and sliding one across the desk toward her. Tessa didn't touch it, keeping her hands clasped loosely in front of her. "The financial trail you helped uncover proved they weren't just running a corrupt animal shelter—they were laundering cartel drug money through municipal medical waste contracts."
"I only gave the state police the shipping logs," Tessa said.
"And those logs blew open a syndicate-wide hemorrhage that would have cost me millions in corrupted assets," Victor replied, taking a slow sip of his drink. "In my world, when someone does you a service of that magnitude, you don't offer them a standard delivery contract. You offer them a seat at the table."
Tessa looked at the manila folder. Inside were property deeds, logistics oversight contracts for the entire northeast regional transport network, and a permanent, high-level advisory position protecting Moretti's private animal sanctuaries across the country. It was an offer that could transform a struggling delivery driver into one of the most influential logistics operators in the state.
"And if I say no?" Tessa asked, her voice entirely calm.
Victor smiled—a warm, genuine expression that reached all the way to his eyes. "Then I tip my hat, write you a check that ensures you never have to drive a delivery van through a snowstorm in Maine again, and I thank you for giving me back the only living creature in this house I truly trust."
Tessa looked over her shoulder. Caesar was lying comfortably right outside the study doors, his massive chin resting on his paws, watching her with absolute, unwavering loyalty.
May you like
She turned back to Victor, a quiet, confident smile touching her lips.
"I don't need the check, Mr. Moretti," Tessa said, reaching out to slide the logistics contracts closer to her side of the desk. "But I do have some notes on how to upgrade your security transport protocols. Starting with the tracking chips."
