Chapter 10 - The Trap Snaps Shut
The morning air was suddenly split by the wail of high-powered emergency sirens echoing from the north bridge.
A convoy of eight unmarked federal law enforcement sedans and three provincial police cruisers sped down the terminal access road.
Flashing red and blue emergency lights reflected brilliantly against the wet concrete and shipping containers.
Fletcher’s hired private security contractors immediately raised their hands and backed away toward their transport vans.
They had no interest in getting caught in a federal criminal raid for a disgraced executive whose checks were about to bounce.
Federal agents wearing blue windbreakers marked with the letters FMC and DOJ spilled out of the vehicles.
Leading the unit was Special Agent Marcus Vance, a senior federal investigator who flashed his gold shield at the crowd.
Fletcher Callaway, step forward with your hands visible! Marcus announced, his hand resting on his service weapon.
Fletcher stood paralyzed on the muddy gravel, his phone dropping from his lifeless fingers into the gray slush.
This...
this is a monstrous clerical mistake! Fletcher stammered, his teeth chattering uncontrollably from shock and freezing cold.
I am the victim of a corporate fraud orchestrated by my estranged wife!
Victor Hail is the one who managed the credit facility!
Speak to Victor Hail!
We are currently speaking to Mr. Hail at Coal Harbour, Fletcher, Agent Marcus Vance replied with icy professionalism.
Three agents stepped forward, forced Fletcher’s arms behind his back, and snapped cold steel handcuffs around his wrists.
You are under arrest for federal wire fraud, attempted asset stripping, and corporate sabotage, the agent read with mechanical rhythm.
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
As Fletcher was being escorted toward the back of a police cruiser, his phone buzzed in the mud.
Elena Vance leaned down, picked up the shattered device, and held the screen up for Fletcher to see.
A live news alert from the financial network flashed across the cracked glass.
HAIL CAPITAL HEADQUARTERS RAIDED IN SEATTLE AND VANCOUVER.
VICTOR HAIL ARRESTED ABOARD PRIVATE LUXURY VESSEL IN COAL HARBOUR ATTEMPTING TO DEPART FOR INTERNATIONAL WATERS.
JADE WHITMORE TURNS STATE’S EVIDENCE IN MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR MARITIME EXTORTION RING.
Fletcher looked up at the grey sky, letting out a pitiful, broken whimper as tears streamed down his pale cheeks.
Victor had tried to run.
Victor had left him behind to take the public fall.
The godfather who had promised him an automated empire had treated him like an expendable delivery boy.
Fletcher turned his tear-stained face toward Serena, his voice cracking with utter despair.
Serena...
please!
Think of our baby!
You cannot let them put the father of your child in a federal prison!
I will sign whatever you want!
I will give you everything!
Just tell the federal investigators that you made a mistake!
Serena looked at him with eyes as calm and unyielding as the granite mountains across the inlet.
My daughter will grow up knowing that her mother protects the innocent, Serena said quietly.
She will never have to carry the shame of a father who steals from working men.
The agent shoved Fletcher into the back of the patrol car and slammed the heavy door shut.
The cruiser accelerated down the gravel road, its siren wailing into the wet morning fog.
A tremendous, earth-shaking cheer erupted from the sixteen hundred longshoremen standing at the gates.
Horns blasted from the idling freight locomotives.
Hard hats were thrown into the air as crane mechanics and forklift drivers embraced each other in jubilation.
The threat of artificial default was dead.
The terminal was safe.
Mac McCallister stepped up to Serena, tears streaming freely down his weathered, leathery cheeks.
Your dad is looking down on this harbor right now, Serena, Mac said, his voice choked with profound gratitude.
You saved sixteen hundred families from the breadline today.
Serena opened her mouth to reply, but a sharp, excruciating pain ripped through her pelvis.
She gasped, clutching her lower abdomen as her knees gave way beneath her heavy coat.
Serena! Elena screamed, catching her cousin before she hit the gravel.
Mac dropped to his knees, supporting Serena’s shoulders with his calloused hands.
A sudden warmth rushed down Serena’s legs.
My water just broke, Serena whispered through clenched teeth, her breathing turning shallow and rapid.
The baby is coming now!
Clear the road! Mac’s thunderous roar echoed across the entire terminal yard.
Clear the gates right now!
Get the medical truck through!
The crowd of longshoremen parted instantly, forming an escort corridor as the terminal emergency medical vehicle rushed forward.
May you like
The battle for the harbor was over.
The battle for a new life had begun.
