Chapter 8 - The Fall of Grant Holloway
Two uniformed NYPD officers, accompanied by federal agents, stepped through the shattered bookstore doors.
"Grant Holloway," the lead federal agent announced, pulling silver handcuffs from his belt. "You are under arrest for federal wire fraud, interstate extortion, forging financial deeds, and felony domestic abuse. You have the right to remain silent."
As the steel cuffs clicked tightly around Grant’s wrists, he began to weep hysterically, his knees buckling as the agents dragged him toward the waiting police cruiser.
"Diane! Nora! Please don't leave me!" Grant screamed into the rainy afternoon air, his pathetic voice fading as he was shoved into the back seat of the car. "I’m sorry! I’m sorry!"
The police cruiser pulled away from the curb, its red and blue lights flashing against the wet pavement, carrying Grant away to face twenty-five years in a federal penitentiary.
I stood on the sidewalk beside my mother, watching the car disappear into Manhattan traffic. A sudden, deep sense of stillness settled over my soul. The phantom weight that had crushed my chest for twelve long years finally vanished into the rain.
My mother wrapped her arm around my waist, resting her head against my shoulder. "It’s over, sweetie. It’s finally over."
"Yes, Mom," I whispered, kissing her hair. "It's over."
Dominic stepped out onto the sidewalk beside us. He nodded to Marco, who signaled a private car to pull up to the curb for my mother.
"Your mother's new townhouse in the Upper East Side is fully prepared, Nora," Dominic said softly. "My team will escort her there so she can settle in peacefully."
My mother smiled warmly at Dominic, taking his hand in hers. "Thank you, Dominic. You didn't just save my daughter... you saved me."
"You saved yourself today, Diane," Dominic replied respectfully.
After my mother’s car pulled away, the afternoon rain began to clear, revealing golden rays of late afternoon sunlight breaking through the dark clouds above Manhattan.
May you like
Dominic reached out, taking my hand in his. His large fingers folded securely around mine, warm and solid.
"Come with me," he murmured.
