Chapter 10 - Evelyn Tries To Buy Her Way Out
Evelyn pushed past Ethan, her eyes flashing with a mix of fury and desperate negotiation.
“Now listen here, Mara!” Evelyn snapped, pulling a checkbook out of her designer handbag with trembling hands.
“Whatever you think Ethan owes you for dinner or clothes or this silly apartment... I can write a check right now!”
“We can settle this quietly like civilized people without bringing federal auditors into our family business!”
I looked at the silver checkbook in her hands, then looked up into her desperate, wrinkled face.
“You still think money buys everything, don't you, Evelyn?” I asked, a quiet, pitying laugh escaping my lips.
“You thought a check could buy Audrey Caldwell for your son, and now you think a check can buy off an Inspector General.”
“I am not for sale, and neither is the Department of Defense.”
“Keep your money, Evelyn. You’re going to need every single cent of it for Ethan’s defense attorneys.”
A large black armored SUV pulled up to the valet curb outside the glass doors, its emergency strobe lights flashing softly.
The rear door opened, and an armed security officer stepped out, standing at attention beside the open door.
“Your vehicle is ready, Inspector General Vance,” the officer announced loudly across the lobby.
I took one final look at Ethan, whose eyes were hollowed out by the absolute realization that his life was completely ruined.
“Goodbye, Ethan,” I said softly.
May you like
I turned and walked out the glass doors, stepping into the night air as the cool Virginia breeze whipped around my coat.
I climbed into the back of the SUV, letting the heavy door seal shut with a solid, echoing thud.
Related Stories
