Chapter 14 - The Statement
Four days later.
The sunshine over the city of Seattle was bright, pale, and cold, washing across the tall glass windows of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office on Fifth Avenue.
Daniel Vance sat in a heavy leather armchair across from a senior assistant district attorney and two lead investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
His face was clean-shaven, though a neat row of black butterfly stitches held his split lower lip together. He wore a simple grey wool sweater and dark trousers. On his lap sat Maya, who was quietly drawing a picture of a yellow sun on a pad of white paper with a bright orange crayon.
On the mahogany desk between them lay a heavy cardboard box containing thirty-two sworn affidavits, property deeds, and bank records Daniel had retrieved from his private vault in the city.
"Mr. Vance," the senior prosecutor said, leaning forward and resting his hands on the desk. "The evidence you've provided officially ties the Vance Development Group to six illegal pharmaceutical trials across three states. The warrants are being issued as we speak."
Daniel nodded slowly. "And the Meridian Estate?"
"The property has been seized under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act," the investigator replied. "It will be auctioned off by the federal marshals next month."
Daniel looked at the window. He could see the space needle rising into the blue sky, the snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains framing the horizon in pure, clean white.
"What about Victoria Vance?" Daniel asked softly.
The two FBI agents exchanged a quick, uncomfortable glance.
"Her vehicle was found abandoned at the Vancouver border crossing two nights ago," the lead agent revealed. "She used an international diplomatic passport under the name Catherine Vance. She’s gone, Daniel. She has private accounts in Zurich and Singapore. She won't come back to the United States."
Daniel looked down at his daughter’s drawing.
Maya had finished her sun. Beneath it, she had drawn two figures holding hands—a tall man with a beard and a little girl in a lavender dress.
May you like
There was no white corridor. There was no beige suit. There was no red door.
"She doesn't need to come back," Daniel said, his voice flat and unyielding as granite. "Her house is gone."
