Chapter 9 - The Legal Shield
Victor walked over to the sideboard, opened a small, leather folder, and pulled out a single, white document. He did not hand it to the marshal. He laid it flat on the table, directly in front of Bruno.
"Bruno," Victor said. "Read the signature on the bottom of that document."
Bruno picked up the paper, squinting through his reading glasses. His eyes widened slightly. "It’s signed by Judge Arthur Vance. Federal District Court of New York."
The marshal froze. "My... my uncle?"
"The very same," Victor said, walking over to the marshal, his steps slow and deliberate. "Your uncle is a very reasonable man, Vance. He understands that a child’s welfare is paramount. And he also understands that a father who has been hiding three secret offshore bank accounts in the Cayman Islands to avoid paying child support is not a fit guardian."
Richard’s face drained of color. He took a step back, his hands shaking. "How... how did you—"
"I have lawyers, Richard," Victor said, his voice dropping into a register that made the room feel twenty degrees colder. "And unlike yours, mine do not write letters. They find secrets. I know about the accounts. I know about the fraud charges your firm is currently trying to bury. And I know that you did not file this warrant because you love Lily. You filed it because you thought you could use her to force Sarah into a settlement."
He looked at the marshal. "The warrant you hold is based on perjury, Vance. Your uncle has already been notified of the offshore accounts. He is currently signing an emergency stay of your order. If you execute that warrant tonight, you will be executing a career-ending mistake."
The marshal’s phone buzzed in his pocket.
He pulled it out, his face turning pale as he read the message. He slowly lowered the phone, looking at Victor with a mixture of respect and fear.
"The stay has been issued," the marshal said, his voice quiet. He looked at the state troopers. "Stand down."
"No!" Richard screamed, lunging toward the marshal. "You can't do this! She’s my daughter! She belongs with me!"
"Get him out of my sight," Victor said.
The state troopers didn't hesitate. They grabbed Richard by the arms, ignoring his screams and curses, and dragged him out of the dining room, the heavy double doors slamming shut behind them.
The silence that followed was heavy, but it was no longer cold.
I stood by the sideboard, my hands covering my mouth, my tears falling fast. I looked at Victor, who was standing in the center of the room, his black suit immaculate, his face still a calm, unyielding mask.
He had saved her.
May you like
He had saved my daughter.
"Sit down, Sarah," Victor said softly, gesturing to the empty chair beside him. "Your dinner is getting cold."
