Chapter 16 - The Interrogation
Elena sat in the sterile, windowless interrogation room, her expensive silk robe replaced by a harsh orange jumpsuit. The absolute arrogance that had defined her existence was badly bruised, but it was not completely broken. When Julian entered the room alongside Special Agent Reyes, she offered a cold, venomous smile.
"Did you really think a white-collar fraud charge would keep me away forever, Julian?" Elena sneered, leaning back in her metal chair. "My lawyers will have me out on bail by tomorrow morning. I'll tie your assets up in civil court for a decade. You haven't won anything."
Julian sat across from her, his expression entirely devoid of emotion. He placed a single, thick file folder on the metal table. "You're right, Elena. White-collar fraud is a notoriously slow process. But that's not why Agent Reyes is here."
Julian flipped the folder open, revealing crime scene photographs from a Chicago marina. Images of a shattered yacht and a wealthy real estate developer’s tragic accident.
Agent Reyes leaned forward, his voice completely devoid of sympathy. "We reopened the investigation into your first husband's death, Elena. Your accomplice, David, was extremely cooperative once he realized he was facing twenty years. He handed over the encrypted hard drive you kept hidden in the apartment. The one containing your communications with a private mechanic in Chicago—the man who sabotaged the yacht's fuel line."
Elena’s face lost all color. The arrogant sneer vanished instantly, replaced by a mask of sheer, unadulterated terror. She stared at the photos, her breathing becoming shallow and erratic.
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"That’s a federal murder-for-hire charge," Julian stated, his voice ringing with absolute finality. "There is no bail for that, Elena. There is no civil court. You are going to spend the rest of your natural life in a concrete box, and you will never, ever come near my daughter again."
Elena opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. The fortress she had built on lies and blood had completely collapsed. Julian stood up, turning his back on the monster, and walked out into the sunlight.
