Chapter 36 - The Cavalry
The realization that he had just openly confessed to attempted murder, extortion, and forgery on a live, federally monitored phone line hit Julian like a physical blow. The color entirely drained from his aristocratic face, leaving him looking frail, old, and profoundly defeated.
The four heavily armed private security contractors, realizing they were vastly outgunned by dozens of federal agents and local deputies swarming the perimeter fence, immediately dropped their rifles to the wet concrete and raised their hands in unconditional surrender. They were paid handsomely, but they weren't going to die in a shootout with the FBI for a corrupt real estate mogul.
"Don't just stand there! Shoot them!" Julian shrieked hysterically, completely losing his mind as the tactical teams breached the courtyard gates.
Nobody listened to him.
A familiar figure pushed through the line of federal agents. It was the same local sheriff’s deputy who had stood guard at my mother’s funeral, the one who had watched Richard attempt to steal the bank key. He marched directly up to Julian Vance, a look of immense, personal satisfaction on his weathered face.
"Julian Vance, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, extortion, forgery, and grand larceny," the deputy stated loudly, aggressively grabbing Julian’s arms and wrenching them behind his back.
The sharp, metallic click of the heavy steel handcuffs locking around Julian’s wrists echoed loudly in the quiet courtyard.
"This is an outrage! I demand my attorney!" Julian screamed, struggling pathetically against the deputy’s iron grip.
"You can call him from the county holding cell," the deputy replied dryly, shoving the disgraced mastermind toward the waiting police cruiser.
I looked down at the heavy steel lockbox still securely clutched in my hands. The adrenaline was finally beginning to crash, leaving my knees feeling weak and shaky. Vanessa rushed over, wrapping her arms tightly around me, burying her face in my shoulder.
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"We got him, Em," Vanessa sobbed, crying tears of profound, overwhelming relief. "We really got him."
Mateo placed a large, warm hand gently on my shoulder. "You both showed incredible bravery tonight. Your mother would be infinitely proud of you."
