CHAPTER 7
Within twenty minutes, the precinct was swarming with federal investigators, internal affairs officers, and state troopers executing search warrants. The corrupt captain who had authorized Martha's unlawful detention was stripped of his badge and marched out in plastic zip-tie restraints.
Martha sat comfortably in the captain's private office, wrapped in a warm wool blanket while a combat medic gently tended to her bruised eye. Victoria stood by the window, watching the flashing red and blue lights of the cruiser fleet illuminating the rainy Manhattan street below.
Her phone buzzed continuously with updates from her legal team confirming that all charges against her mother had been officially expunged. Furthermore, every single asset belonging to Brooke and her co-conspirators had been frozen under emergency federal anti-fraud statutes.
"You didn't have to fly in from Washington just for little old me, Vicky," Martha said softly, sipping a cup of hot chamomile tea provided by a trembling precinct lieutenant. Victoria turned around, a genuine, warm smile breaking through her severe expression as she walked over to her mother's side.
"I'd fly across the entire globe if someone dared to lay a hand on you, Mom," Victoria replied affectionately, kissing the top of her mother's grey hair. The lieutenant standing by the door cleared his throat nervously, holding a clipboard with trembling fingers.
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"Ms. Vance... the intake paperwork has been fully corrected, and your mother is free to leave whenever she wishes," the officer murmured apologetically. Victoria narrowed her eyes at him, letting him squirm under her gaze for three agonizing seconds before giving a curt nod.
"Make sure every single officer on this shift is investigated for dereliction of duty by sunrise," Victoria instructed without a trace of warmth. The lieutenant swallowed hard, bowing his head in total submission before scurrying out of the office to escape her punishing presence.
