Chapter 13
The driver lowered his weapon slowly as four federal marshals approached our vehicle with high-powered flashlights.
The lead marshal tapped on the driver’s window with his ring, his expression grim and unreadable.
Charlotte rolled down her window, holding up her federal prosecution credentials.
“Agent Sterling,” Charlotte announced clearly. “I’m escorting Founder Amelia Sterling to the safehouse.”
The lead marshal looked at her badge, then shined his light directly into my face.
“Orders have changed, Agent Sterling,” the marshal stated in a flat, mechanical voice.
“By order of the United States District Court, Grand Haven Resort and all associated assets have been seized.”
“Seized under what authority?” Charlotte demanded, stepping out of the car into the rain.
“Under the Federal Racketeering and Corrupt Organizations Act,” the marshal answered, pulling a folded warrant from his coat.
“Your father, Arthur Sterling, surrendered himself to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan thirty minutes ago.”
I stepped out of the car beside my sister, rain instantly soaking my linen suit.
“My father surrendered?” I asked, disbelieving.
“He turned over all corporate records, Miss Sterling,” the marshal said, looking at me with cold pity.
“And he named you as the primary mastermind behind the offshore laundering operations.”
I stood frozen in the pouring rain, the night air freezing in my lungs.
My own father, the man who had abandoned me for ten years, had just thrown me to the federal wolves.
He had sacrificed Richard, Vanessa, and Sterling to protect himself, framing his own daughter to walk away clean.
“That’s impossible!” Charlotte yelled, stepping in front of the marshal. “She was poisoned in London! She’s the victim!”
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“The paperwork bears her digital signature from two weeks ago, Agent,” the marshal countered, holding up a printout.
“Amelia Sterling is officially a federal fugitive.”
