Chapter 13 - The Confrontation At The Capitol
At 3:00 PM, the Texas State Capitol building in Austin was busy with politicians, lobbyists, and reporters walking through the marble rotunda.
State Representative Charles Vance was walking out of a committee hearing room, surrounded by three young aides carrying leather briefcases.
Charles was a polished man in his late fifties, wearing an expensive grey suit and a broad, charming smile for the passing cameras.
As he reached the grand staircase, his smile vanished as he saw Caleb standing at the bottom of the steps.
Caleb was dressed in his full Army Service Uniform, his chest covered in service ribbons, his brass shining brightly under the rotunda lights.
Beside Caleb stood Sheriff Thomas and two federal agents from the Department of Justice.
"Caleb?" Charles stammered, pausing on the steps as his aides stopped behind him. "What is the meaning of this?"
"You had a good run, Uncle Charles," Caleb spoke clearly, his voice carrying through the marble rotunda, attracting the attention of nearby reporters.
"You used your public office to steal land from deployed service members across Texas."
"That's a outrageous lie!" Charles shouted, his face turning red as news cameras began pointing toward him.
"I am a public servant! I have served this state for two decades!"
May you like
Federal Agent Miller stepped forward, pulling an official warrant from his coat pocket.
"Representative Vance, you are under arrest for federal wire fraud, conspiracy to commit extortion, and bribery," the agent announced.
