Chapter 3 - DAWN AT THE PLAZAThe clock on my laptop read 5:45 AM on New Year’s Day.
Outside the window, the first gray light of January 1st was breaking over the freezing Brooklyn rooftops. My phone buzzed aggressively against the wooden coffee table. It was a text message from Captain Miller: “Evidence received and verified by a night judge. Warrants are signed. We’re moving in right now.”
I grabbed my coat, locked the apartment door behind me, and hailed a private car to take me across the river into Manhattan.
The Plaza Hotel loomed against the pale morning sky, an icon of old-money luxury, wealth, and exclusivity. Tourists in heavy winter coats were walking past the grand entrance, completely unaware of the drama unfolding on the nineteenth floor.
I met Captain Miller and three uniformed officers in the gilded lobby. Miller was a tall, imposing man with a stern jaw and eyes that had seen every variation of human cruelty.
“David,” Miller said, shaking my hand firmly. “We’ve got the service elevator locked down and two officers stationed outside Suite 1904. The manager tried to give us pushback until we showed him the child endangerment warrant. Nobody leaves this floor until we clear it.”
“Thank you, Thomas,” I replied, my voice chillingly calm. “I want to be there when you knock.”
We stepped into the private elevator, ascending in absolute silence. Every floor felt like a step further away from the nightmare in Brooklyn and a step closer to absolute, unyielding accountability. When the elevator doors slid open on the nineteenth floor, the hallway was dead quiet, plush red carpets absorbing the sound of our footsteps as we approached double-door Suite 1904.
Officer Vance, stationed outside the door, gave Miller a sharp nod. “Inside, Captain. Sounds like they’re still sleeping off last night’s champagne.”
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Miller raised his hand and struck the heavy mahogany door three sharp, thunderous times.
“Hotel security! Open up immediately!”
