Chapter 11 - The Echo of the PenthouseThe helicopter blades thrummed a heavy, rhythmic beat against the midnight air as we descended back toward Manhattan. The glittering grid of city lights spread out below us like a circuit board of infinite complexity, but for the first time in my life, I wasn't looking at it as a map of leverage points and vulnerable assets.

When the bird touched down on the private landing pad atop the Tribeca tower, Frank was waiting by the doors with a fresh data tablet.
"The federal marshals have secured the Boston facility," Frank said, stepping inside the cabin as I ducked out of the rotor wash. "All experimental logs, synthesis formulas, and bio-vector records have been seized under federal seal. Vanguard Bio-Research is officially undergoing emergency liquidation."
"And Sam Miller?" I asked, shrugging off my heavy overcoat as we stepped into the private elevator.
"Arraigned two hours ago," Frank replied, his fingers flying across his tablet. "Bail denied. His offshore accounts in the Caymans have been frozen by the SEC. He’s looking at twenty years to life for corporate endangerment and unauthorized biological tampering."
I nodded, pressing the button for the penthouse floor. "Make sure the legal team ensures the restitution funds are funneled directly into municipal pediatric care networks. No red tape. No means-testing."
"Done," Frank said, glancing sideways at me. "Though there's someone waiting for you in your study."
May you like
I raised an eyebrow. "At two in the morning?"
"She insisted," Frank said softly. "Maya."