Chapter 10 - The Sirens on Cedar Street
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Victor turned on his heel, marching toward the front door with heavy, furious strides. He ripped the brass handle down and threw the door open, ready to storm out to his Mercedes.
He didn't make it past the porch steps.
As soon as Victor crossed the threshold, the quiet morning air of Cedar Street erupted into the deafening, synchronized wail of multiple heavy sirens.
From both ends of the street, three unmarked black tactical vans and four state police cruisers surged forward, tires squealing as they blocked the front and rear of Victor’s silver sports car, pinning it completely in the driveway.
Heavy doors slammed open in unison.
Half a dozen armed federal agents in full tactical gear, led by Director Callahan himself, fanned out across the lawn and marched directly up the front steps. At the same time, two state troopers flanked the driveway, cutting off any possibility of retreat.
Victor froze in the doorway, his mouth hanging open in sheer, unadulterated shock. His face drained of all color, turning the sickly shade of spoiled milk.
“Victor Hale?” Director Callahan called out, stepping up the porch steps with a crisp, official document in his hand. “You have multiple federal warrants for your arrest under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, interstate smuggling, wire fraud, and public corruption.”
Victor stumbled backward into my foyer, his eyes darting wildly between the tactical agents, the flashing red and blue lights reflecting off the living room windows, and me.
“No, no, there’s been a mistake!” Victor stammered, his voice cracking desperately. “Call Chief Miller! Call the precinct downtown! They’ll tell you who I am! I am a pillar of this community!”
“Chief Miller is currently being zip-tied in his own office by federal marshals,” Callahan replied smoothly, stepping past Victor into the hallway.
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Director Callahan stopped in front of me, lowered his head in a respectful nod, and flashed a faint, grim smile.
“Good morning, Judge Vance. The syndicate has officially collapsed. All primary suspects are in custody.”
