Chapter 9: The Network
Victor survived his wound and was taken to a prison hospital under heavy guard.
At first, he refused to speak.
Then federal prosecutors showed him the charges against him: kidnapping, attempted murder, conspiracy, domestic terrorism, and the attempted killing of thousands of civilians.
Victor requested a deal.
John watched the interrogation from behind one-way glass.
Victor named judges, business owners, smugglers, and law-enforcement officers connected to Elias’s criminal network.
Police Chief Hayes had been only one of several insiders.
The organization had been operating for nearly fifteen years.
Victor had not created it.
He had inherited one branch after Elias died.
Agent Rebecca Shaw turned to John.
“If this information is real, this could become one of the largest corruption investigations in the country.”
John watched Victor through the glass.
“He’s not helping us because he suddenly developed a conscience.”
“No.”
“He’s afraid.”
“Of whom?”
John looked at the list of names.
“The person above him.”
Before Victor could reveal the final name, the lights inside the hospital flickered.
An alarm sounded.
John ran into the interrogation room.
Victor was still alive, but a bullet had shattered the window behind him.
A sniper had fired from another building.
Victor stared at John in terror.
“They know I talked.”
John leaned closer.
“Who leads the network?”
Victor struggled to breathe.
May you like
Then he whispered one name.
“Senator… Wallace.”
