Chapter 6 - The Trap
The next morning, the city was rocked by a series of high-profile scandals that unfolded with surgical precision.
By 7:00 AM, news broke that Thomas Cole’s construction firm was under federal investigation for massive financial fraud and racketeering. By 8:00 AM, Senator Evelyn Hale held a tearful, emergency press conference to announce her immediate resignation from public office, citing "unforeseen family complications."
The untouchable wall of protection had crumbled into dust in less than twelve hours.
Inside his luxury penthouse overlooking the harbor, Ethan Cole paced furiously across the marble floor, a glass of bourbon trembling in his hand. His father sat slumped in an armchair, staring blankly at the wall, while Brandon Hale and Tyler Whitmore sat on the sofa, looking like condemned men.
"This is insane!" Ethan roared, slamming his glass down on a glass table, shattering it. "Who is this guy? He's just an old man who runs a damn shipping warehouse! How is he doing this?"
"He's not just a warehouse manager, Ethan," Thomas Cole said, his voice hollow and devoid of life. "The federal agents who showed up at my office this morning didn't even ask questions. They already had every bank transaction from the last fifteen years mapped out. This man has access to intelligence networks that shouldn't exist."
"I'm not going to prison!" Ethan screamed, his face contorting with rage. "I don't care who he used to be! We have money! We can hire people!"
Ethan pulled out his phone and dialed a contact listed only as Vance.
"Ethan, don't," Tyler whimpered from the couch. "You didn't see him. He isn't human. He moved like a ghost..."
"Shut up!" Ethan snapped into the receiver. "Vance? I need a team. Four guys, heavy hardware. I have an address. I want an old man taken care of before noon. I'll double your normal rate."
Across town, inside a quiet cafe near the hospital, I sat at a corner table with my earpiece active, listening to every word of Ethan’s conversation.
Marcus’s voice came through the feed. "They just hired Vance’s crew. Four mid-level enforcement mercenaries. They’re tracking your home address right now."
"Good," I said, sipping my black coffee. "Let them go to the house. It's time to bring this to a final conclusion."
"Daniel," Marcus warned gently. "The police Chief Miller is already at the hospital. He’s trying to get into Lily’s room to obtain a signed statement claiming she can't remember her attackers."
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I set my coffee cup down with a soft click.
"Chief Miller is making a mistake," I said quietly, rising from my chair. "Tell Vance’s team that I'll meet them at the house. But first, I have a police chief to retire."
