Chapter 6 - THE UNTOUCHABLE'S DOWNFALLZ
The Oak Creek Country Club was the epicenter of local wealth and power. Nestled behind high stone gates and lush green golf courses, it was a sanctuary where the town’s elite gathered to broker deals away from the eyes of common citizens.
At 1300 hours, under a bright afternoon sky, Julian Vance was sitting at an outdoor terrace table, wearing an expensive polo shirt and designer sunglasses. Beside him sat two young women and a pair of wealthy associates, drinking champagne and laughing loudly. He looked relaxed, arrogant, and utterly unbothered by the violence he had committed forty-eight hours earlier.
The peaceful atmosphere was shattered by the roaring sound of heavy engines.
Four unmarked black SUVs swept through the country club's private driveway, tires screeching as they slammed to a halt directly in front of the terrace. Doors flew open, and a dozen armed agents from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), wearing tactical vests with "SBI" emblazoned in bold yellow letters, poured out with weapons drawn.
"State Bureau of Investigation! Nobody move!" an agent shouted through a megaphone.
Panicking club members dropped their drinks, screams echoing across the patio.
Julian Vance stood up angrily, pushing his chair back. "What the hell is the meaning of this? Do you know who I am? My father owns this town!"
I stepped out from behind the lead SBI vehicle, walking calmly toward the terrace. I was flanked by Lead Special Agent David Vance (no relation) and two heavily armed tactical officers.
Julian’s eyes widened in disbelief as he saw me. "You? What did you do, you crazy military bitch?"
"Julian Vance," Agent David announced, pulling a thick warrant from his tactical vest. "You are under arrest for felony assault, attempted arson, conspiracy to commit arson, and extortion."
"This is ridiculous!" Julian shouted, backed against the glass railing of the terrace. "Call Chief Miller! Call my father right now! You can't arrest me!"
"Chief Miller won't be answering his phone today, Julian," I said, stepping up the stone stairs until I was standing right in front of him. "The SBI raided his department thirty minutes ago. He's currently sitting in a cell in Raleigh, charged with official corruption and evidence tampering."
Julian’s face went dead white. The smug, untouchable confidence that he had worn like armor vanished instantly, replaced by a raw, unadulterated terror.
"You... you can't do this," he stuttered, stepping backward. "My father... he'll destroy you! He has millions!"
"Your father's assets were frozen by a state court order two hours ago," Agent David informed him coldly. "Turn around and put your hands behind your back."
"No! Get away from me!" Julian panicked, swinging a wild, uncoordinated punch at Agent David.
Before the agent could react, I caught Julian’s wrist mid-air. With a swift, practiced twist, I forced his arm behind his back and slammed his face down onto the glass table. Champagne glasses shattered, spilling liquid across the white tablecloth.
I pulled his other hand back, holding him pinned effortlessly with one arm.
"Remember what you said to my mother in the diner?" I whispered in his ear, my voice dark and terrifyingly quiet. "'Around here, I do whatever I want.'"
Julian sobbed as the plastic flex-cuffs clicked tightly around his wrists. "Please... please don't hurt me..."
"The law is doing the hurting today, Julian," I said, pulling him up by his collar and handing him over to the SBI agents. "And this is just the beginning."
The agents dragged the weeping heir of the Vance family across the manicured lawn toward the waiting police SUV, under the shocked gazes of Oak Creek's wealthy elite.
I stood on the terrace, watching the vehicle speed away with its sirens blaring.
My phone rang. It was Grizz.
"Nicole, we have a situation," Grizz said, his tone urgent. "Richard Vance just left his estate. He knows the SBI is sweeping the town. He's heading toward the private airfield on the north side of town. He has a private jet waiting."
"He's trying to flee the country," I realized instantly.
"He's got four armed security guards with him," Grizz warned. "The SBI units in Oak Creek are busy securing the police station and Vance Enterprises headquarters. They won't make it to the airfield in time."
May you like
I looked at my watch. The airfield was six miles away.
"I will," I said grimly.
