Chapter 18 - The Federal Arrest On Live Camera
"Federal agents! Drop your weapons! Hands in the air now!" a commander yelled through a tactical megaphone.
John immediately set the rifle on the ground, stepping away from Vance and raising both hands high above his head.
"I am John Miller! I am unarmed!" John shouted clearly. "The evidence of corporate fraud is in that briefcase!"
A dozen tactical team members flooded the cavern, securing Vance, Martha, and the two disoriented security guards.
A senior federal agent stepped forward, wearing a heavy tactical vest bearing the letters FBI across the front.
Behind him walked Sam Houston, hand-cuffed but wearing a triumphant, bloody grin on his weathered face.
"Sam!" John exclaimed in relief. "You're alive!"
"Told you these boys couldn't take me down so easy, kid," Sam chuckled, wiping blood from his broken nose.
The lead FBI agent, Special Agent Marcus Reed, looked between the smashed satellite equipment and the corporate folder.
"Mr. Miller, your friend here managed to patch your audio recording directly into our field communications three minutes ago," Reed stated.
"We heard every word Martha Miller and Richard Vance said regarding the land fraud and the altered medical files," Reed added.
Martha was being handcuffed by two female agents, her navy blazer torn and dirty as she struggled against their grip.
"You can't arrest me! I am Martha Miller!" she shrieked hysterically, her regal composure completely shattered.
"I own this county! I own the judges! Call Governor Vance immediately!"
"Your governor friend just signed an arrest warrant for your attorney ten minutes ago, Mrs. Miller," Agent Reed replied coldly.
"You're going to a federal holding facility in Richmond on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and treasonous framing."
Chloe stepped out from behind the crystal rock formation, holding sleeping baby Liam safely wrapped in his yellow blanket.
John walked over to her, pulling his wife and child into a tight, emotional embrace as federal agents secured the scene.
"Is it finally over, John?" Chloe asked softly, tears of relief streaming down her clean face into his jacket.
"It’s over, Chloe," John whispered, kissing her forehead under the bright tactical lights. "We're going home."
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But as Agent Reed picked up Vance's smashed briefcase, a strange digital chime echoed from a hidden compartment inside.
Reed pulled out a second, undamaged satellite phone that was actively receiving a encrypted live stream transmission.
