Chapter 7
By noon, a heavily armed federal tactical team surrounded the sleek glass-and-steel headquarters of Apex Bio-Tech in Bethesda.
Employees inside the lobby stared in sheer disbelief as federal agents secured the elevators and server rooms.
In the executive suite on the top floor, CEO Richard Sterling stood by his floor-to-ceiling window holding a scotch.
He watched the federal cruisers swarm the plaza below, his face turning an unhealthy shade of pale grey.
The double doors of his office burst open without warning, and two federal agents entered with weapons drawn.
"Richard Sterling, you are under arrest for federal conspiracy, medical supply theft, and treason," an agent announced.
Richard dropped his crystal glass onto the plush carpet, the amber liquid splattering across the floor like blood.
"You can't do this! I am a major federal defense contractor!" Richard roared, trying to maintain his arrogant facade.
"Your defense contracts were revoked twenty minutes ago by order of the Department of Defense," the agent replied coldly.
They forced Richard's arms behind his back, snapping the steel handcuffs tightly over his expensive tailored suit cuffs.
As he was dragged out past the rows of terrified corporate executives, Richard caught sight of the security monitors.
Every screen in the building was broadcasting a live feed of the decrypted financial ledger recovered from Mark's house.
The entire multi-million-dollar illicit enterprise was exposed for the entire nation to see on live television.
Back at Walter Reed Hospital, Clara opened her eyes slowly, looking at the television mounted on the wall.
She watched the live broadcast of Richard Sterling being led out of the Bethesda building in handcuffs.
A quiet sense of vindication washed over her soul as her father walked back into her recovery suite.
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"They got the man at the top, Clara," Thomas said softly, pulling up a chair beside her bed.
"The syndicate is finished."
