Chapter 9 - The Federal Investigation Into The Socialite's Holdings
At 7:00 AM sharp, federal marshals surrounded Elena’s sprawling Hamptons beach estate with blue lights flashing.
Lead investigator Agent Miller knocked heavily on the custom mahogany front door with an arrest warrant in hand.
When there was no answer, the marshals forced the deadbolt, sweeping through the opulent rooms with service weapons drawn.
The mansion was completely empty except for a stack of overdue utility bills on the marble kitchen island.
"Sir, we found her private server hard drives hidden inside the basement laundry vent," a junior agent reported, holding a bag.
Agent Miller examined the charred remains of documents burning slowly in the outdoor patio fire pit.
"She knew we were coming, but she didn't burn everything in time," Miller noted, picking up a half-melted flash drive from the ash.
He slipped the evidence into an electrostatic pouch, walking back out to his vehicle to contact the Manhattan district attorney.
"Get a freeze on her passport and notify all international airports immediately; she's a high-flight risk," Miller commanded into his radio.
Within minutes, national news broadcasts flashed Elena’s face across television screens from coast to coast.
“FUGITIVE SOCIALITE WANTED FOR FEDERAL WIRE FRAUD AND INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE,” the bold banner headlines read.
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The glittering world Elena had spent a decade building collapsed into a nationwide manhunt before the morning sun even rose.
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