Chapter 8 - The Fall of the House of Moretti
By nine o'clock the following morning, the financial and physical retaliation against the Moretti syndicate was moving forward with terrifying velocity.
I sat in my penthouse office downtown, surrounded by monitors showing real-time market updates, property deeds, and wire transfer logs. Arthur Vance stood across from my desk, holding a thick leather folder.
"The federal court in St. Louis just issued an emergency freeze on all commercial assets tied to Dominic Moretti’s logistics firm," Arthur reported, sliding a document across the desk. "The dirty judge sang like a canary the moment federal prosecutors showed him the racketeering charges. He gave up the entire wiretap network Dominic used to bribe state officials."
"And the St. Charles land?" I asked.
"The trust has been fully validated," Arthur smiled. "Rosalind Vance is the undisputed owner. I’ve filed a court injunction blocking any state development until Rosie turns twenty-one. Lena has been named sole legal trustee, with you appointed as co-guardian."
A soft knock sounded at the heavy oak office door. Frank stepped inside.
"Boss," Frank said, leaning against the doorframe. "Derek Mercer just tried to catch a flight out of Lambert Airport using a fake passport."
"Did he?" I asked smoothly, taking a sip of black coffee.
"Federal agents picked him up at the security gate," Frank grinned. "Turns out someone anonymously tipped off the TSA that he was carrying two hundred thousand dollars in undeclared offshore funds. He’s looking at twenty years for bank fraud, conspiracy, and child endangerment."
"Good," I said. "Make sure he gets a very uncomfortable cell."
"What about Dominic Moretti in Kansas City?" Frank asked, his expression growing serious. "He’s calling every mob boss in the Midwest, trying to form a coalition against us."
I stood up, walked over to the floor-to-ceiling glass window, and looked out over the St. Louis skyline. The storm had passed, leaving behind a crisp, brilliant autumn afternoon.
"Dominic Moretti doesn't have a coalition, Frank," I said coldly. "Because by five o'clock today, three of his main bank accounts in Switzerland will be seized by federal investigators, and his two primary shipping terminals in Illinois will be purchased by my real estate holding firm."
"You're buying his own terminals?" Frank chuckled in disbelief.
"I’m buying his debt," I corrected. "And then I’m evicting him from the Midwest."
I turned back to my desk, picking up my coat.
May you like
"Where are you going, Boss?" Arthur asked.
"I’m going home," I said. "I have a family to build."
