Chapter 13 - THE EMPIRE GRACE DISCOVERED
Victor was held in a private federal facility.
Adrian was placed in a separate wing.
Neither man was officially charged during the first twenty-four hours.
The government wanted Grace’s files first.
Lily underwent surgery at St. Catherine’s Hospital.
The bullet had fractured part of her shoulder.
Ethan remained beside her under federal protection.
He refused to sleep unless he could see her.
Dr. Reeves placed the child’s portable crib near her bed.
Victor’s attorney arrived before dawn.
His name was Thomas Hale.
He carried an offer from Victor.
“He will provide every financial record connected to Adrian.”
Lily watched Ethan sleep.
“What does he want in return?”
“Protection for his son.”
“And for himself?”
Thomas hesitated.
“He did not mention himself.”
Federal prosecutor Evelyn Shaw entered the room.
She had worked with Grace before the crash.
“Victor Blackwood does not become innocent because he loves his child.”
Lily looked at her.
“He also does not become guilty of Grace’s murder because of his name.”
Evelyn placed a laptop on the table.
“We recovered the flash drive.”
Grace’s video appeared on the screen.
Her face looked thinner than in the first recording.
“Victor never knew Adrian was using Blackwood shipping routes to move weapons and trafficked women.”
Victor’s criminal operations had included gambling, extortion, and illegal loans.
But he had forbidden narcotics and human trafficking.
Grace had discovered Adrian was secretly violating those rules.
She had copied financial records.
She planned to expose him.
“Serena was Adrian’s connection to three politicians and two judges.”
Grace continued.
“They needed Victor removed.”
“They needed Ethan controlled.”
“And they needed me silent.”
Lily’s eyes filled with tears.
Grace held up a photograph.
It showed Serena standing beside the mechanic who had serviced Grace’s car one day before the crash.
The mechanic had disappeared immediately afterward.
The video changed.
Another man appeared in the background.
Lily paused the recording.
Evelyn leaned closer.
Thomas Hale stopped breathing.
The man was wearing a federal badge.
Lily looked at Evelyn.
“Who is he?”
Evelyn’s face became pale.
“Deputy Director Daniel Cross.”
“He supervised Grace’s investigation.”
Lily understood the danger.
The federal task force itself had been compromised.
The lights inside the hospital room suddenly flickered.
Evelyn reached for her weapon.
A nurse entered carrying a syringe.
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Lily noticed blood on the nurse’s shoe.
Then the woman locked the door.
