Chapter 10 - The Digital Ghost
We pulled into a deserted, underground parking garage in Queens, hiding the car in the darkest corner. The three of us huddled around Marcus’s tablet. The screen displayed dozens of high-resolution, scanned documents.
"She digitized everything," I breathed in awe. My sister, always meticulous, had created a digital backup of the exact ledgers Arthur had just stolen.
But there was more. There was a video file titled: For Claire.
With trembling fingers, I tapped the screen.
Elena’s face appeared. She looked tired, her eyes bruised with exhaustion, but her jaw was set with a fierce determination.
"If you are watching this, Claire, it means I didn't make it," Elena’s voice echoed softly in the dark car. "Arthur found out I know about the missing millions. He’s threatening to hurt you if I go to the police. I can't let him do that. I'm going to confront him tonight, wear a wire, and get a confession on tape. If I fail, you have to finish this. The audio file is attached. I love you, Claire."
The video ended. I let out a choked sob, covering my mouth. She hadn't died accidentally. She had walked into a trap to protect me.
Marcus tapped the audio file. Instantly, Arthur’s cold, unmistakable voice filled the car.
"You really think you can destroy my empire, Elena? I built this! The boy's trust fund was sitting there, doing nothing. I took what I deserved."
Then, Elena's voice, shaking but defiant: "I'm going to the FBI, Arthur."
The sound of glass shattering. A struggle. Then Arthur, whispering with terrifying malice: "No, my love. You are going to take these pills. And you are going to die quietly, or I will have my men pay your sister a visit."
Julian stared at the screen, horrified. "He admitted it. He admitted to all of it."
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"This is it," Marcus said, pulling the USB drive out. "This isn't a state police issue anymore. This is federal. We need to bypass local corruption and take this straight to the FBI field office."
"We can't," I said, a dangerous new plan forming in my mind. "If we just hand it over, his lawyers will tie it up in court for years. We need to trap him in front of the world."
