Chapter 3 - The First Domino
Vance looked at the diagnostic data flashing on his screen, which now included the medical images of Lily’s injuries sent directly from the gurney's sensors. His expression hardened.
"Richard Whitmore," Vance murmured. "Whitmore Development Group. They hold several municipal contracts, including federal land grants for transit corridors. He’s small-time, Arthur. A bug on our windshield."
"He told me his family owns this town," Arthur said, leaning over the terminal. "I want him to watch it burn. I want the ground cut out from under his feet before the sun comes up."
"The financial sweep is already underway," Vance replied. "Under the Patriot Act contingency for domestic terrorism and infrastructural subversion, we’ve flagged Whitmore Development’s federal accounts. At 3:00 a.m. tonight, the Treasury Department will issue an administrative freeze on all domestic assets tied to the Whitmore name. That’s step one."
"And step two?" Arthur asked.
"Step two is the local authority," Vance said, a grim smile playing on his lips. "The Chief of Police you mentioned—Thomas Miller. He’s been receiving monthly 'consulting fees' from a shell company owned by Margaret Whitmore. We’ve had a file on him for eighteen months. We were going to hand it to the state attorney next year. We'll move the timeline up. To now."
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"I want the arrest warrants executed by state troopers, not local officers," Arthur specified. "I want the local precinct locked down."
"Consider it done, Colonel. Enjoy the show."
