Chapter 9 - Dismantling the Syndicate
Two weeks later, the underground war that had quietly bled the financial capitals of the region came to a definitive, legal close.
With the encrypted servers in the library fully decrypted by federal cyber-crime units, the entire infrastructure of the Calabrese family syndicate lay exposed like an open book. Offshore accounts in Zurich and the Cayman Islands were frozen within forty-eight hours. Shell companies used to launder extortion money were seized by federal marshals. And every corrupt official, crooked accountant, and enforcer associated with Marcus’s faction was rounded up before they could flee the country.
Dominic sat behind the massive mahogany desk in his home office, reviewing the final asset forfeiture reports sent over by the Department of Justice.
The intercom on his desk buzzed.
“Mr. Vance,” Grace’s voice came through crisp and clear. “Special Agent Miller from the federal task force is on line three. He wants to know if you’ll be releasing a public statement regarding the restructuring of the security assets.”
Dominic pressed the intercom button. “Tell him no public statement is necessary, Grace. Just make sure the remaining escrow funds are transferred directly to the victim support foundations we set up last week.”
“Done,” Grace replied. A soft click signaled the end of the call.
Dominic leaned back in his leather chair, looking out the large arched window. The sprawling lawns of the estate were bathed in the crisp, bright light of early spring. The gardeners were already at work, clearing away the dead brush of winter to make way for new soil and blooming perennials.
The house no longer felt like a fortress standing against an invisible tide. It felt like a home.
May you like
He stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and walked down the hallway toward the sunroom where the girls were laughing over a jigsaw puzzle while Isabelle sat nearby, reading a book without looking over her shoulder every three seconds.
The shadows were gone. The silence was broken. And for the first time in his life, Dominic didn't have to look over his shoulder to know who had his back.
