Chapter 16 - The Montreal Debrief
By sunrise, the warehouse was swarming with federal investigators, forensic accountants, and international press corps. The takedown of Julian Vance and the dismantling of the Meridian Group made international front-page news, effectively neutralizing the largest healthcare financial conspiracy in North America.
Back at the Montreal precinct, Marcus and I sat in a quiet breakroom, sipping hot black coffee as the morning sun broke over the snowy rooftops of the city.
"You saved my career back there, Natalie," Marcus said quietly, staring down into his paper cup. "And more than that... you saved me from having to make an impossible choice."
"You would have done the right thing, Marcus," I replied softly. "You're a good cop. The best I've ever worked with."
"What happens now?" he asked, looking up. "The syndicate is broken, the accounts are recovered, and your father's trial is ancient history. Will you stay in public service, or go back to private practice?"
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"I think forensic auditing found its permanent home," I smiled, sliding my tablet into my bag. "There are still too many crooked ledgers out there waiting to be balanced."
As we boarded the afternoon flight back to Chicago, I looked out the airplane window as the snow-covered runway faded beneath the clouds. The ghosts of the past—my father’s betrayal, the cold New Year’s Eve alone in my apartment, and the family that had tried to throw me to the wolves—felt miles away.
