Chapter 7 - The Final Hour
The dawn broke over Philadelphia with a cold, unforgiving light.
The rain had stopped, leaving the city washed clean and bitterly cold.
It had been exactly forty-eight hours since I had stormed into the Sterling mansion.
Julian’s grand ultimatum had completely collapsed upon itself.
Arthur packed up his massive server array, leaving only one laptop running the dead-man switch.
"The FBI tactical teams are assembling at the staging ground near the Main Line," Arthur noted, watching a police scanner frequency.
"They are preparing a no-knock raid on the Sterling estate."
Carmine brought up a tray of fresh sourdough bread, scrambled eggs, and hot tea.
"Eat something, both of you," Carmine ordered gently.
"You have won the war, but you still need your strength for the aftermath."
Clara took a piece of warm bread, taking a small bite and closing her eyes in comfort.
"What happens to the cartel money?" Clara asked, looking at the silver drive.
"If the FBI raids the house, the cartel will know the ledger is gone."
"They will come looking for whoever took it, won't they?"
I smiled, shaking my head as I poured myself a cup of tea.
"No, sweetheart."
"Arthur has one more trick up his sleeve."
Arthur smirked, tapping a few keys on his final laptop.
"I am currently masking my IP address to look like it is originating from Julian's private study."
"I am sending an anonymous message to the cartel leadership."
"I am telling them that Julian Sterling cooperated with the FBI and traded their ledger for a plea deal and witness protection."
Carmine burst into a loud, roaring laugh that shook the small room.
"You are framing him as an informant!" Carmine cheered.
"The cartel will never believe he was robbed by a baker and his runaway wife."
"They will believe he sold them out to save his own skin."
"Exactly," I said, taking a sip of my tea.
"Julian wanted to play games with dangerous people."
"Now he gets to suffer the consequences."
"The cartel will focus all their anger and resources on Julian and the FBI."
"They will never even look in the direction of South Philadelphia."
Clara let out a long, shuddering breath, the final remnants of her fear melting away.
She was finally free.
She was completely safe.
"The raid is going down in exactly three minutes," Arthur announced, turning the police scanner volume up.
We sat in silence, listening to the crackling static of the radio.
We were about to hear the exact moment the billionaire dynasty crumbled into dust.
"Staging units, this is command," a sharp, professional voice echoed from the speaker.
May you like
"Target is the Sterling residence."
"Execute breach."
