Chapter 14 - Checkmate in PublicHarrison swallowed hard, frantically trying to regain his composure as the murmurs of the crowd began to swell.
“Caleb, this is a charity event,” Harrison forced a tight, nervous smile, holding his hands up placatingly. “If you’re here to discuss business disputes regarding dock permits, my office is open on Monday—”
“This isn't about dock permits, Harrison,” I interrupted, stepping closer. The mechanical click of my cane against the polished marble floor sounded like a drumbeat of doom.
I reached into my inner jacket pocket, pulled out a thick manila envelope, and tossed it onto the stage. It slid across the pristine surface and came to a halt right against the toe of the mayor’s shiny Italian leather shoes.
“This is about murder, extortion, and corporate theft,” I said loudly, ensuring every microphone in the room picked up every syllable.
Detective Miller suddenly stepped out from the crowd of guests, pulling a pair of steel handcuffs from her belt and walking up the steps of the stage.
Harrison looked wildly around the room, realizing every escape route was blocked. “Miller! What is the meaning of this? Arrest him! He’s trespassing!”
“Mayor Harrison Vance,” Detective Miller’s voice echoed crisply through the PA system as she grabbed his arm and spun him around, “you are under arrest for the conspiracy and premeditated sabotage of Audrey Marino’s vehicle, municipal corruption, and financial fraud.”
Gasps erupted through the ballroom. Flashbulbs from hidden reporters blinded the stage as the mayor of the city was forced into handcuffs right in front of his wealthiest donors.
Harrison thrashed against Miller’s grip, his face contorting into a mask of pure hatred as he glared at me over his shoulder.
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“You can’t prove anything!” Harrison shrieked, his polished political persona shattering completely. “You were broken, Caleb! You were supposed to rot in that wheelchair forever!”
“You should have checked my pulse, Harrison,” I replied coldly, turning my back on him as the federal marshals escorted him away in disgrace.
