Chapter 9 - The Anatomy of Fraud
By dawn, the rain had ceased, leaving the city washed in a sterile, pale grey light that filtered through the high windows of the main lobby.
Federal prosecutors and forensic accountants filled the ground floor. Pendelton was led away in steel handcuffs, his head bowed as news cameras flashed outside the glass doors.
Sitting at the wooden reception desk where he had worked just twenty-four hours ago, Leo watched the digital monitors display the unsealed files. The magnetic tapes contained full audio recordings of the executive committee agreeing to fabricate the embezzlement charges against Thomas Vance to cover up structural cost-cutting on three commercial skyscrapers.
Walter Bennett stood beside Leo, watching the police vehicles pull away into the early morning traffic.
"Your father's name will be fully exonerated on every major network by noon," Walter said quietly. "The board members responsible for his framing have already been placed under red-notice arrest warrants in three countries."
Leo looked down at his grey vest, unpinning the silver ID badge that bore his name. He placed it gently on the polished mahogany surface.
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"What happens now?" Leo asked.
"Now, the hard work begins," Walter replied. "You have thirty-four percent of the voting power. The board will try to destroy you with bureaucracy, legal challenges, and media campaigns. They will test your resolve every single day."
