Chapter 16 - The Federal Subpoena
The morning sun cut sharply through the heavy industrial smog of downtown Manhattan, casting long, fractured shadows across the sleek marble steps of the federal courthouse.
Sophie stood beside Alexander, her fingers nervously smoothing the fabric of a tailored charcoal blazer she had purchased the evening before.
The titanium flash drive rested securely in a hidden zipper pocket inside her jacket—the single most dangerous piece of corporate evidence in the city.
"Are you ready?" Alexander asked quietly, his eyes scanning the surrounding plaza for any sign of Arthur Grant’s private security detail.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Sophie replied, taking a steadying breath as she looked up at the towering columns of justice.
"If this works, your father loses his entire empire. If it fails, we're both looking at federal conspiracy charges."
"It won't fail," Alexander said firmly, placing a reassuring hand on the small of her back as they mounted the marble steps together.
"The Assistant United States Attorney general has already reviewed the preliminary data packets we sent through the encrypted satellite relay last night. They're waiting for us in conference room four."
They passed through the heavy security scanners at the entrance, their footsteps echoing against the grand, vaulted ceilings of the federal building.
As they turned down the third-floor corridor, a familiar, aristocratic voice stopped them in their tracks.
"I wouldn't walk down that hallway if I valued my future, son."
Alexander and Sophie spun around.
Arthur Grant stood near the arched window, flanked by two high-priced corporate defense attorneys carrying heavy leather briefcases.
Arthur's face was a mask of cold, controlled fury, though a slight twitch near his left eye betrayed his suppressed rage.
"You're trespassing on federal property, Arthur," Alexander said, stepping slightly in front of Sophie in a protective stance.
"And you are walking straight into a bureaucratic trap you cannot possibly win," Arthur retorted, taking a slow, measured step forward.
"Do you honestly believe a handful of twenty-year-old financial ledgers and an unverified audio file will tear down Grant Industries? The board has already prepared a statement distancing the conglomerate from any historical anomalies."
"Historical anomalies?" Sophie stepped out from behind Alexander, her voice ringing with sharp, uncompromising clarity.
"Is that what you call corporate-sponsored intimidation, extortion, and the silencing of whistleblowers like my mother and Victoria Vance?"
Arthur’s cold eyes narrowed as he locked onto Sophie, a venomous smile touching his lips.
"You play your part well, Miss Reed. Almost as well as Victoria did. But a fake wife with a fabricated grudge won't hold up in front of a federal judge when my legal team dismantles your entire background."
Before Arthur could continue, the heavy oak doors of conference room four swung open, and a sharp-suited federal prosecutor stepped into the hallway.
"Mr. Grant? Ms. Reed? We're ready for you now."
Arthur’s expression darkened instantly as the federal prosecutor locked eyes with him.
"And Mr. Arthur Grant," the prosecutor added coldly, pulling a crisp white document from his folder.
May you like
"Consider this a federal subpoena to remain within the jurisdiction of New York pending our preliminary investigation into corporate homicide and financial fraud."
Arthur stood frozen, the color draining from his face for the first time as the legal trap snapped shut around him.
