Chapter 3 - The Interrogation RoomThe holding cell at the local precinct smelled like old coffee, cheap disinfectant, and unadulterated fear.
When I walked into the interrogation room, Marcus was slumped over the metal table. His expensive designer shirt was wrinkled, his hair was messy, and the temporary swagger he’d tried to project earlier had completely evaporated.
The door clicked shut behind me. The heavy steel sound made him flinch violently.
He looked up, his bloodshot eyes widening as he recognized who was walking toward him.
“Where’s my lawyer?” Marcus snapped, though his voice lacked its usual venom. “You can’t keep me in here. This is illegal detention. I want my phone call, I want my attorney, and I want you out of my face, Elena.”
I pulled out the metal chair opposite him, sat down, and slowly slid a thick manila folder across the table. I didn't say a word. I just opened it, revealing a series of financial printouts, encrypted text message logs, and high-resolution photographs of Nora’s bruised face.
Marcus swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “What is that?”
“That,” I said calmly, resting my forearms on the table and leaning forward, “is your future. Or rather, the rapid, catastrophic dismantling of it.”
“You’re out of your jurisdiction,” he stammered, trying to sound authoritative. “I called my lawyer an hour ago. He’s a partner at Miller & Sterling. He’s going to sue the Army, he’s going to sue you personally, and—'”
“Your lawyer isn't coming, Marcus,” I interrupted smoothly.
He blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“At 4:15 a.m., federal magistrates signed an emergency expansion warrant,” I explained, my tone conversational, almost clinical. “Because Apex Defense Logistics holds active, classified Department of Defense supply chain contracts, and because you used your corporate position to execute interstate extortion and cover up violent felonies against an immediate family member of an active-duty military officer, this case has been elevated to federal jurisdiction under Title 18 and the Uniform Code of Military Justice provisions regarding contractor misconduct.”
Marcus’s face drained of every last trace of color. The smug corporate executive vanished, leaving behind a terrified, cornered coward.
“You... you can’t do that,” he whispered, his hands trembling against the steel table. “It’s a marriage issue! Every couple fights! Nora is just... she’s unstable, she fell down the stairs—”
“She fell down the stairs?” I repeated, my eyes locking onto his with a chilling, predatory focus. “Interesting. Because the medical examiner at the hospital just finished scanning her neck. Those aren't fall marks, Marcus. Those are distinct thumbprint impressions from a right-handed chokehold. The exact same hand you used to shove me in the hallway tonight.”
I stood up slowly, towering over him in the harsh fluorescent light.
“You thought Nora was alone,” I whispered softly, leaning down so my face was inches from his. “You thought because she was gentle, because she stayed quiet, because she protected our family from your abuse, that she had no one in her corner. You made the biggest mistake of your life.”
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I tapped the manila folder with my index finger.
“By sunrise, your corporate accounts will be frozen, your office will be raided by federal agents, and every single illegal kickback you’ve hidden in your offshore accounts over the last three years is going to be dragged out into the light. Enjoy your stay, Marcus. It’s only going to get colder from here.”
