Chapter 19 - THE TRAP AT PIER 17|
At 4:00 AM, rain began to fall heavily over Pier 17.
Victor Cole stood on the deck of his cargo vessel, smoking a cigar as his men prepared to unload the heavy wooden crates onto the dock.
"Hurry up!" Victor barked at his crew. "Before Vale realizes what we're doing!"
Suddenly, high-powered searchlights cut through the dark rain, blinding the crew on deck.
WWOOOO-WWOOOO!
Federal law enforcement boats roared out of the darkness, surrounding the vessel from the water, while thirty armored federal SUVs blocked the dock's land exits.
"THIS IS THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION!" a loudspeaker boomed over the water. "STAND DOWN AND RAISE YOUR HANDS! YOUR CARGO IS SEIZED UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW!"
Victor dropped his cigar, his face draining of all color as federal agents swarmed the deck, cutting the locks on the antiquities crates.
Stepping out from behind the lead federal vehicle on the dock was Adrian Vale, wrapped in a long black trench coat.
And beside him stood Elena, holding an official federal authentication tablet, looking up at Victor Cole with cold, victorious calm.
Victor stumbled to the railing, staring down at us in sheer, unbelievable shock.
"You..." Victor choked out, pointing a trembling finger at me. "You did this!"
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"You said I was just an art restorer, Victor," I called out over the rain, my voice carrying clearly across the dock. "You should have remembered that art restorers know how to read the fine print."
Federal agents slammed Victor onto the deck, clicking heavy iron handcuffs around his wrists.
