Chapter 18 - The Garage
Everything happened in seconds.
Oscar dropped the folder and stepped behind a concrete pillar.
Investigators moved in from both sides of the garage.
“Federal agents! Hands where we can see them!”
Martin froze.
His hand came out of his coat holding a phone, not a gun.
Evelyn burst into tears.
Martin stared at her with pure hatred.
“You idiot.”
Agents forced him to the ground and secured his hands.
Oscar stayed behind the pillar until an agent told him it was safe.
The black duffel contained $186,000 in cash, two laptops, several identity documents, and a stack of prepaid phones.
No firearm was found.
Evelyn kept apologizing.
“I thought he had one. Chase told me he carried one.”
Oscar looked at Martin.
Martin smiled from the ground. “Chase tells everyone whatever they need to hear.”
Investigators separated them.
Within an hour, the laptops produced more names, more accounts, and more victims.
But Chase was still missing.
So was the remaining cash.
And one file on Martin’s laptop had been remotely deleted ten minutes before the meeting.
The file name was MERCER EXIT.
Lauren arrived after the scene was cleared. She ran to her mother, then stopped before hugging her.
Evelyn saw the hesitation.
That pause said more than anger could.
Jared arrived last.
He looked at Lauren, then at Oscar.
“Is it over?”
Oscar shook his head.
“Martin is one piece.”
Evelyn wiped her eyes. “Chase has passports.”
Everyone turned.
“What?” Lauren asked.
“He had fake passports made years ago when the development lawsuits started.”
Jared said, “Where would he go?”
Evelyn hesitated.
Oscar recognized the look.
“You know.”
She whispered, “He has a condo in Toronto under another name.”
An agent stepped closer. “What name?”
Evelyn answered.
Within minutes, the information was sent to border authorities.
Then Jared’s phone rang.
It was Chase.
Jared answered.
Chase sounded amused.
“Tell Oscar congratulations. He caught the accountant.”
Oscar took the phone.
“And you?”
Chase laughed.
“I’m the client.”
May you like
Then he said, “Check what Lauren signed last Friday.”
The line went dead.
