Chapter 16 - Victoria Vance’s Ultimatum
Within twenty minutes, three squad cars and an unmarked detective cruiser lined my curb.
The neighborhood was alive with flashing red and blue lights.
Detectives dusted the broken patio doors for prints while Brenda gave a detailed statement to the officers.
Detective Miller, a seasoned officer who had handled Mercer’s initial arrest, sat at my kitchen table, studying the cassette tape and the yellowed ledger.
"Mrs. Vance, this goes way beyond corporate embezzlement," Miller said gravely.
"Arthur Sterling announced his gubernatorial campaign three days ago."
"If these documents prove he authorized toxic waste disposal beneath a residential subdivision, his career is over."
"He won't just face prison; he faces federal racketeering and environmental homicide charges."
Before Miller could finish his sentence, the front door opened without a knock.
Victoria Vance walked into the room, followed by two attorneys carrying leather briefcases.
Detective Miller stood up, his hand resting instinctively on his holster.
"Who authorized you to enter an active crime scene?" Miller barked.
Victoria didn't even glance at his badge.
She placed a signed federal injunction directly onto the table over the shattered glass.
"United States District Court, Eastern District," Victoria stated coldly.
"This property is now subject to a federal preservation order."
"Detective, your precinct has three officers currently on Arthur Sterling's private payroll."
"If you want this evidence to survive until sunrise, you will hand that cassette to me immediately."
Miller’s eyes narrowed.
"I take orders from my chief, lady, not from a civilian who vanished for thirty years."
"Your chief was appointed by Sterling’s committee seven years ago," Sloan interjected, stepping out from the hallway.
We all turned to look at Sloan.
Her face was streaked with tears, but her posture had changed completely.
She looked directly at her mother with a mixture of defiance and sorrow.
"Mother is right, Detective," Sloan said steadily.
"Mercer bragged to me about the precinct commanders he owned."
"If you put that tape in an evidence locker tonight, it will mysteriously burn before the morning shift."
Harrison stepped up beside his wife, placing a hand on the small of her back.
"Then where do we take it?" Harrison asked.
Victoria turned her icy gaze toward me.
"We don't take it anywhere."
"We play it right here."
"Daniel recorded this for Evelyn."
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"And whatever is on that tape will tell us how to dismantle the trap beneath the floor before Sterling's demolition crew arrives with an emergency condemnation order."
***
