Chapter 7 - The Flying Trap
While Everett lay broken in the street, Vanessa was attempting her own desperate escape. Realizing that the federal authorities were closing in on her for her role in the corporate embezzlement scheme, she used stolen cash to purchase a fake passport and a ticket on a luxury private charter jet departing for Dubai out of Teterboro Airport.
Sitting in the plush leather seat of the Gulfstream jet, Vanessa finally let out a long breath of relief. She poured herself a glass of vintage champagne, clutching a duffel bag stuffed with stolen diamond jewelry she had snuck out of Everett’s safe.
"Goodbye, Manhattan," she sneered to herself, staring out the window as the jet taxied down the runway. "Let those idiots rot in jail. I’m starting a new life."
The jet took off, soaring high into the night sky above the clouds. Vanessa sipped her champagne, grinning as she imagined her new life in the Middle East with millions in stolen diamonds.
An hour into the flight, the intercom chimed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking," a calm, professional voice announced. "We have reached our cruising altitude. However, due to a sudden shift in corporate logistics, our flight path has been slightly altered."
Vanessa frowned, sitting up. "Altered? What is he talking about?"
She unbuckled her seatbelt and walked toward the cockpit, banging on the door. "Excuse me! Captain! Where are we going? My flight was booked directly to Dubai!"
The cockpit door swung open. The pilot looked at her with a calm smile. "Miss Vance, this aircraft belongs to Phoenix Aviation Services—a subsidiary of Vanguard Holdings."
Vanessa’s heart stopped. The champagne glass slipped from her hand, shattering onto the carpeted floor. "What?!"
"Madame Chairwoman Claire personally authorized this flight," the pilot added smoothly. "We aren't flying to Dubai. We just landed at a federal airfield in Virginia."
The main cabin door hissed open, allowing the freezing night air to rush in. Standing on the tarmac outside were six armed federal agents and two state prosecutors holding handcuffs.
Vanessa shrieked, backing away toward the rear of the plane, clutching her duffel bag of diamonds. "No! No! You can't do this to me! I'm pregnant!"
May you like
A female federal agent stepped onto the jet, pulling out an arrest warrant. "Save the lie for the judge, Miss Vance. You are under arrest for grand larceny, identity fraud, and interstate transport of stolen property. Hand over the bag."
As the handcuffs clicked tightly around Vanessa’s wrists, she collapsed onto the floor, sobbing hysterically as her dreams of luxury dissolved into a lifetime behind bars.
