Chapter 26 - The Compromised Task Force
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The cool night air washed over us as we stepped onto the marble balcony overlooking the city skyline. Below us, valet drivers parked luxury vehicles, oblivious to the high-stakes game playing out above.
"Your father was always a stubborn man," Victoria said, leaning her elbows against the stone balustrade. "He thought he could burn down an institution that has governed this city's financial bloodlines for fifty years."
"An institution built on extortion, murder, and dirty cartel capital," I corrected firmly.
Victoria chuckled softly, turning to face me. "Money has no morality, my dear. Arthur Vance was sloppy. He let his personal emotions get in the way of business. But you... you have your father's intellect and your mother's stubborn spine."
"My mother died because of you," I said, stepping closer.
"Your mother died because she didn't know when to close her eyes," Victoria countered, her voice turning icy cold. "Just like Agent Miller in Elena's office today. He thought he could export our master ledgers to an external server. A fatal mistake."
Through my earpiece, I heard Elena gasp. We had her confession on wire.
"I have the master ledger now, Victoria," I whispered. "And by tomorrow morning, every federal agency in the country will have your name."
Victoria didn't look terrified. Instead, she slowly pulled a small silver controller from her evening purse and pressed a single black button.
Instantly, my earpiece erupted in static, followed by Elena's frantic voice shouting over gunfire: "Audrey! Get out of there! The van is ambushed! It's a set—"
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The line went dead.
Victoria looked at me with chilling pity. "Did you really think Agent Elena’s task force was secure? The man sitting in the driver's seat of her surveillance van has been on my payroll for seven years."
