Chapter 15 - The Arrest
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Audrey hit the floor, staring at her father in absolute, mind-shattering shock.
The man who had raised her, the man whose approval she had sought her entire life, had just traded her freedom for his own survival without a second thought.
“You coward!” Audrey screamed, her voice tearing at her throat. “I did this for you! You told me we needed the money! You gave me the pills!”
“You are hysterical, Audrey,” Judge Sterling said coldly, refusing to meet her eyes. He stood up and straightened his trench coat, looking at me. “Call the police, Victor. Let’s get this over with.”
I didn't need to call them. I hit a button beneath my desk, signaling Hector.
Within two minutes, the heavy doors of the study opened. But it wasn't the local precinct officers who walked in. I don't trust local cops. I called a specialized unit of the State Police, led by a captain who owed his career to my father’s quiet political donations years ago.
They walked into the room, their expressions grim.
“Captain,” I said smoothly, gesturing to Audrey on the floor. “We have an attempted murder. I have the video evidence ready on a secure drive, along with the physical vial of poison recovered from the scene. Her father, Judge Sterling, is prepared to give a full statement regarding her erratic behavior.”
The Captain nodded. Two officers stepped forward, hauling a thrashing, screaming Audrey to her feet.
“You can't do this to me! I’m Audrey Sterling! You’re all going to pay for this!” she shrieked as the cold steel handcuffs clicked violently around her wrists.
She locked her furious, terrified eyes on me as they dragged her toward the door.
“You think you won, Victor?!” she screamed. “You think you’re a good man? You’re a monster! You’re exactly what they say you are!”
“I never claimed to be a good man, Audrey,” I replied quietly as she was hauled out of my study. “I just claimed to be a better monster than you.”
The doors closed, silencing her screams.
May you like
I turned back to the Judge. He looked pale, but relieved. He thought he had survived the storm.
“The money will be wired to the Russians by morning, Judge,” I said coldly. “Get out of my house. And if I ever see you in this city again, I will forget option two.”
