Chapter 11 - The Fall of the House of Vance
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While I was wheeled into the operating room for emergency procedures to save my pregnancy, the world outside was quietly falling apart for the Vance family.
In his cold holding cell at the federal detention center, Carter sat in disbelief, still wearing his blood-stained dress shirt. He demanded his one phone call, confident that his uncle, Richard Vance, would clear up what he assumed was a massive legal misunderstanding.
When the guard finally allowed him the call, Carter dialed his uncle’s private number frantically.
“Uncle Richard! Thank God!” Carter blurted out the moment the line connected. “You need to get down to the federal precinct right now! Sarah’s crazy father staged some kind of military raid at the house! They handcuffed me!”
A long, heavy sigh came through the line. Richard Vance sounded defeated, exhausted, and utterly terrified.
“Carter… you idiot,” Richard whispered hoarsely. “What did you do?”
“What did I do? I put my wife in her place!” Carter snapped. “Now call the judge and get me out of here!”
“There is no judge, Carter,” Richard said, his voice trembling. “Thirty minutes ago, two agents from the Inspector General’s office walked into my department with a signed warrant from the Pentagon. They seized my files, revoked my legal credentials, and placed me on administrative suspension pending a military tribunal.”
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Carter froze, his heart slamming against his ribs. “What? Why? On what grounds?!”
“Because your father-in-law isn't a retired farmer, you fool!” Richard shouted through the receiver. “He’s General Thomas Miller! He commands the Joint Defense Intelligence Command! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You hit the daughter of one of the most powerful military men in the country!”
