Chapter 7 - The Final EvidenceCRACK!
A single gunshot echoed across the stormy runway.
Jason gasped, his eyes widening in shock. The gun slipped from his fingers, clattering onto the wet concrete. He looked down at his shoulder, where a crimson stain was spreading rapidly through his designer suit.
Behind Iris, a state police sniper lowered his rifle from the top of an armored vehicle.
Jason collapsed onto his knees in the puddles, clutching his wounded shoulder, groaning in agony. Federal agents swarmed forward, tackling him to the tarmac, pressing his face into the cold, wet ground as they snapped heavy steel handcuffs onto his wrists.
"Jason Carter, you are under arrest for federal financial fraud, arson, attempted murder, and extortion," the lead federal agent announced, slamming Jason against the side of a police cruiser.
As Jason was being forced into the back of the squad car, he spat blood onto the pavement and glared at Iris with pure venom.
"You think you won?" Jason sneered, his voice raspy. "You think taking me down fixes anything? You're still just the bruised, broken woman who hid in the bathroom while I ran the world!"
Iris walked right up to the open door of the police car. She didn't look at him with anger or hatred. She looked at him with profound pity.
"You forgot one detail, Jason," Iris said softly, pulling a small silver USB drive from her pocket.
Jason’s eyes widened. "What is that...?"
"The black hard drives in the basement were duplicates," Iris revealed, leaning in closer. "I found the primary master server in your office six months ago. I copied every audio file, every offshore transaction, every wiretap, and every recorded conversation onto this drive."
She smiled—a genuine, radiant smile.
"I didn't send the originals to the federal prosecutors tonight, Jason. I sent them to the press. To every major newspaper, TV station, and internet news outlet in America. By tomorrow morning, every single politician, judge, and corrupt business partner who helped you cover up your crimes will be exposed to the entire world."
Jason’s breathing hitched. His whole expression crumbled into total despair. The blackmail leverage he held—his final remaining shield—was gone. He had not just lost his empire; he had brought down every powerful ally he had ever bought.
"No... no... Iris, please..." Jason choked out, his voice cracking as tears filled his eyes. "Please don't... they'll kill me..."
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"You told me in court today that I would leave with nothing," Iris said, stepping back as the officer prepared to close the car door. "You were right about one thing, Jason. I left behind the fear. But you... you're going to lose everything."
The officer slammed the door shut, locking Jason inside the dark back seat. The police cruiser pulled away, its sirens wailing as it vanished into the stormy night.
