Chapter 2 - THE ARREST ON THE COURTYARD LAWN
The thunderous shout from the FBI agent echoed off the grand white pillars of the Virginia estate, shattering the silence of the estate courtyard. Agent Caleb Walker stood firm on the gravel driveway, his black handgun aimed with unwavering precision at the second-story balcony.
Julian Vance froze against the white balustrade, his hands trembling as the burgundy suit jacket slipped slightly off his shoulders. His mother, Victoria, clutched the collar of her navy blue pussy-bow blouse, her face draining of color as four black tactical SUVs tore through the front gates.
"Hands on the railing where I can see them!" Caleb barked again, his voice carrying the full weight of federal authority. "Both of you, do not move a single inch!"
Serena lay on the cold stone patio, her lavender silk dress torn at the hem as she gasped for air. She gripped Caleb’s tactical vest with weak, trembling fingers, blood trickling from a small cut above her eyebrow.
Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder as tactical teams in heavy armor flooded the estate grounds. Tactical officers leapt from the vehicles, weapons raised, instantly encircling the grand entrance of the mansion.
Victoria tried to pull herself backward into the shadows of the French doors, her mind racing for an escape route. "You have no right to step onto private property without a judicial warrant!" she shrieked down at the courtyard.
"I have a federal arrest warrant signed by the United States District Court, Victoria!" Caleb countered without lowering his weapon. "And you just committed attempted murder in front of federal law enforcement officers!"
Two tactical officers charged up the grand marble staircase inside the foyer, their boots pounding rhythmically against the hardwood floors. Within seconds, the heavy double doors of the balcony swung open, and officers slammed Julian face-first onto the stone balustrade.
"Get your hands off me!" Julian screamed as the cold steel handcuffs clicked around his wrists. "My family owns half the judges in Fairfax County! You will burn for this!"
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A female agent knelt beside Serena, carefully placing a neck brace over her collarbone while monitoring her weak pulse. Serena looked up into Caleb’s eyes, her voice barely a whisper as the afternoon sun hit the framed American flag hanging on the pillar above.
"Don't let them take my father's ledger, Caleb," Serena managed to breathe out before her eyes rolled back. "It's inside the safe behind the library mantel."
