Chapter 9 - The Reckoning
Before Bryce could make a move toward the exit, the boardroom doors opened a second time.
Four federal agents from the Transportation Security Administration’s Criminal Investigation Division, accompanied by three local police officers, filed into the room. At the front walked Senior Agent Miller—a man Travis had called from the truck on the drive over.
"Bryce Callaway? Russell Keane?" Agent Miller announced, pulling heavy steel handcuffs from his belt. "Federal warrants have been issued for your arrest on charges of corporate sabotage, wire fraud, attempted murder, and endangerment of an aircraft."
Russell broke completely. He fell to his knees beside the window, weeping hysterically. "It was Bryce! He promised me two million dollars and a VP position in the new company! He told me the plane would just fail on the ramp! He swore no one would get hurt!"
"Shut up, you fool!" Bryce roared, lunging toward Russell, but two officers intercepted him, slamming him face-first against the mahogany conference table.
The heavy steel cuffs clicked around Bryce’s wrists.
As the officers pulled Bryce upright, his eyes locked onto Travis Barlow. The suit, the money, and the arrogant corporate power were gone—replaced by the pathetic fury of a man whose empire had collapsed in less than ten minutes.
"You..." Bryce spat, his voice laced with venom. "You were supposed to be a nobody... a dirty contract mechanic in faded coveralls..."
Travis looked at him with absolute indifference.
"I was the man who built the system you tried to steal, Bryce," Travis said quietly. "You should have listened to the warning."
The officers dragged Bryce and Russell out of the boardroom, their boots echoing down the hallway until the heavy doors clicked shut.
Silence returned to the room.
The board members stood in shock, looking at Audrey, then at the grease-stained technician standing beside her at the head of the table.
The lead female board member stepped forward, clearing her throat. "Audrey... we don't even know what to say. The company owes you an apology. And..." She turned to Travis. "We owe this gentleman our lives."
May you like
Audrey looked at Travis, a genuine, unburdened smile finally gracing her face.
"He's not just a gentleman," Audrey said firmly to her board. "As of today, he is the new Senior Vice President of Fleet Safety and Engineering for Langford Aeronautics."
