Chapter 6 - The Morning Briefing
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At 6:30 AM, the morning sun broke through the heavy curtains of my study. Sophia was still asleep down the hall, safely resting under the watchful eye of the federal marshals stationed outside her door.
My secure phone pinged with an urgent alert. It was Director Callahan of the FBI’s local field office.
“Judge Vance, we’ve got a massive breakthrough on the wiretap feeds,” Callahan said, his voice tense with excitement. “Last night, right after you signed the warrant, Hale’s associates panicked over a missing shipment of illegal firearms coming through the port. They discussed payoffs to three local captains in the police department, including Chief Miller.”
“Do we have voice authorization and transaction records?” I asked, leaning forward over my desk.
“Every single word, Your Honor. Plus digital bank transfers routing straight from Hale’s shell corporation to offshore accounts in the Caymans. We have enough to issue immediate federal RICO indictments, seize all his assets, and arrest his entire inner circle.”
“Don’t move yet, Director,” I instructed calmly. “Let him squirm for a few more hours. Let him think he’s winning. I want him desperate. When a desperate man feels cornered, he makes mistakes that no defense attorney in the country can untangle.”
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“Understood, Judge. What are your orders regarding his personal movements today?”
“He’s going to come looking for my daughter,” I said, looking out the window toward the quiet suburban street. “And when he arrives at my front door, I want federal agents and state police outside his jurisdiction waiting in the wings. Let him bring his arrogance right to my doorstep.”
