Chapter 9 - The Trap is Set
At 8:15 PM, Brooke walked into Sarah's law firm carrying a small, silver flash drive.
She looked terrified, constantly glancing over her shoulder.
"He was in the shower," Brooke stammered, handing me the drive.
"I took it from his shaving kit, just like I said."
David, my tech expert, plugged it into an isolated terminal.
He ran a scan and nodded. "It's all here. No external copies detected on his network."
I handed Brooke a heavy manila envelope.
"Fifty thousand in unmarked bills," I said. "Go to the airport. Don't look back."
Brooke clutched the envelope to her chest.
"I'm sorry, Claire," she whispered before running out the door.
I didn't care about her apology. I only cared that Ryan's leverage was gone.
"Now what?" Sarah asked, watching me carefully.
"Now, we end this," I said.
I picked up my burner phone and called Ryan.
He answered on the first ring, his voice dripping with smugness.
"Did you see the blogs, Claire? Time's ticking."
"I saw them," I lied, keeping my voice shaky and defeated.
"You win, Ryan. I'll drop the charges."
"I thought you'd see reason," he chuckled.
"But I want to hear you admit it," I demanded.
"Admit what?"
"That you stole the money. That you and Grant set me up."
"I'm not saying that over the phone," he snapped.
"Then meet me," I challenged.
"At the parking garage under Sarah's building. In thirty minutes."
"If you bring the cops, I hit send on the data leak."
"I'll be alone," I promised.
I hung up and looked at Sarah and Detective Ramirez, who had been sitting quietly in the corner.
"He's coming," I said.
Ramirez handed me a small microphone.
"Tape this under your shirt," the detective instructed.
"Get him to admit to the theft and the assault."
"And if he realizes I'm wearing a wire?" I asked.
Ramirez tapped his holstered weapon.
"I'll be listening from the surveillance van ten yards away."
"He won't lay another finger on you."
I taped the wire beneath my maternity shirt, feeling my baby kick against it.
May you like
I was terrified, but the anger burned hotter than the fear.
It was time to face the monster.
