Chapter 7 - The Reckoning of Patricia
While Jason was dragged out of the penthouse in handcuffs, screaming curses at the federal agents, Patricia was held in the kitchen, her expensive coat crumpled, her mascara running down her face in dark streaks.
"This is a mistake!" Patricia shrieked at Agent Rodriguez. "I didn't steal anything! I'm an innocent mother! My son lied to me!"
Agent Rodriguez pulled up a tablet screen handed to him by a junior agent.
"Patricia Miller," Rodriguez read from the screen. "An hour ago, our agents executed a search warrant on your Long Island condo. We found three safe deposit boxes containing two million dollars in cash wired directly from Apex Solutions accounts, along with forged medical documents intended to commit your daughter-in-law to a private facility."
Patricia’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. The arrogant, untouchable socialite had collapsed into a terrified, frail old woman.
"You're going away for conspiracy, wire fraud, and kidnapping, Patricia," Rodriguez said coldly. "Take her away."
I walked out onto the balcony, taking deep gulps of the cold New York air. The city lights stretched out before me, but for the first time in three days, the crushing weight on my chest was gone.
Agent Rodriguez walked out beside me, handing me a bottle of water.
"Your daughter is safe at the field office," Rodriguez said. "We sent an escort to Sarah’s loft to bring her and the baby in. The charges against you are being formally dropped as we speak."
"What about Vanguard?" I asked.
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"Your board of directors is issuing a public apology tomorrow morning," Rodriguez replied with a slight smirk. "Marcus Vance is waiting at the office right now with a reinstated contract and a promotion offer."
I looked at the silver hard drive in my hand. "I don't care about Vanguard anymore, Agent. I have work to do at home."
