"The video isn't stored on the local mall NVR, Victoria," Cricket said, her voice resonant and steady. "It was streamed directly to the State Prosecutor's Financial Crimes Division, along with the full decryption sequence from the drive in your attorney's briefcase."
Chapter 6: The Arrival of the State
The heavy steel door of Holding Room 4 buzzed and clicked open once more.
This time, it wasn't mall security.
Four uniformed officers from the State Police, accompanied by two federal agents in dark suits, stepped into the cramped room.
The lead agent—a sharp-eyed woman holding a federal search warrant—looked directly at Victoria Vance.
"Victoria Vance?" the agent asked smoothly. "I have a warrant for your arrest for corporate fraud, obstruction of justice, extortion, and the unlawful seizure of municipal trust assets."
Victoria backed up against the metal table, her face draining of all color. "This is an absurdity! I am the lead director of Vance Bio-Tech! You can't touch me!"
"We have the atrium footage, ma'am," the lead agent replied, pulling a pair of steel handcuffs from her belt. "Along with a three-hour audio recording of your conversation in this room, streamed live under the Federal Witness Protection Protocol."