Chapter 11 - The Trap at the Gala-11
"We have enough to arrest Vanessa Sterling and Brandon Vance for life," Deputy Director Vance continued, leaning over a map of the state capital. "But Senator Richard Sterling still enjoys absolute executive immunity under state statutes. To break his political shield and arrest him on federal racketeering and treason charges, we need him to execute one final, undeniable action on federal record."
Clara’s eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you need me to do, Director?"
"Tomorrow night is the annual Governor’s Infrastructure Gala at the Grand Regency Hotel in the capital," Vance explained. "Senator Sterling is giving the keynote address, announcing the final route authorization for the multi-billion-dollar rail expansion. He believes you are still at home, heavily drugged, helpless, and completely unaware of Brandon’s arrest because we issued a total media blackout on your neighborhood."
Vance placed a sleek, silver micro-transponder onto the table in front of Clara.
"Sterling’s operatives believe Brandon is meeting him in the hotel's VIP private library prior to the address to deliver the forged custody papers and the land trust authorization keys. If you walk into that library instead of Brandon, carrying the master physical deeds to your father’s estate, Sterling will be forced to confront you directly."
"He'll try to buy me out, or he'll try to threaten me," Clara said smoothly.
"And when he does," Vance smiled grimly, "this micro-transponder will broadcast every word, every admission, and every threat directly to a federal grand jury panel sitting in a mobile command unit right outside the hotel. The moment he admits to knowledge of your father's death or the trust manipulation, our tactical strike team moves in."
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Mr. Pendelton looked at Clara with deep apprehension. "Clara, it’s extremely dangerous. Sterling is a desperate man who knows his empire is on the line. If his private security detail suspects a setup—"
"He killed my father," Clara interrupted, her voice dropping into a quiet, absolute baritone that allowed zero room for argument. "He tried to destroy my sanity, steal my babies, and turn me into a ghost in my own home. I am going to that gala, Mr. Pendelton. And I am going to look Richard Sterling in the eye when his world comes crashing down."
