Chapter 7 - The Federal Handcuffs
The blinding white beams of the federal searchlights pinned Derek and his tactical squad in the center of the muddy courtyard like insects under a microscope.
Over heavy loudspeakers blaring from the blue-and-white helicopters overhead, a stern, thunderous voice echoed across the cliffs:
"THIS IS THE UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FINANCIAL CRIMES TASK FORCE! ALL INDIVIDUALS IN THE COURTYARD, DROP YOUR WEAPONS AND GET ON THE GROUND IMMEDIATELY!"
Derek’s private tactical guards instantly froze. Unlike state marshals or hired security, federal agents carried absolute authority. One by one, Derek’s guards dropped their tactical gear into the mud and raised their hands into the freezing rain.
"What is this?!" Derek screamed into the night, waving his umbrella frantically at the helicopters overhead. "I have a state court order! I am the CEO of Ashford Global!"
Down the driveway, six unmarked silver SUVs roared past the shattered iron gates, screeching to a halt in a defensive circle around Derek’s vehicles.
Dozens of armed federal agents wearing black vests with gold FBI and SEC INVESTIGATOR lettering spilled out, weapons trained directly on Derek.
At the head of the federal squad walked Lead Special Agent Sarah Jenkins of the Southern District of New York, holding a thick, red-stamped federal document inside a plastic protective sleeve.
"Derek Ashford!" Agent Jenkins boomed, her voice cutting through the heavy rain. "Stand down and step away from the residence!"
"Agent Jenkins!" Harrison Vance rushed forward from one of the SUVs, holding his hands up. "I am Harrison Vance, lead counsel for Mr. Ashford! This is an unlawful interference with a state family court warrant—"
"Shut your mouth, Vance!" Agent Jenkins snapped without looking at him. "A United States District Judge signed an emergency federal arrest warrant twenty minutes ago in Manhattan! The state court warrant is hereby superseded and voided under federal authority!"
Derek’s jaw dropped in absolute shock. "On what grounds?!"
Agent Jenkins stepped up to Derek, pulling a set of heavy steel handcuffs from her belt.
"Derek Ashford, you are under arrest for federal conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities manipulation, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering involving a federal whistleblower!"
"I am a billionaire!" Derek roared, struggling as two heavy federal agents grabbed his arms, forcing him face-first onto the hood of his rain-slicked SUV. "You can't touch me! My attorneys will have this warrant thrown out before sunrise!"
"You're not going home tonight, Mr. Ashford," Agent Jenkins said coldly, clicking the steel cuffs tightly around his wrists. "And thanks to the audio recording your wife provided forty minutes ago—where you explicitly threatened to use state court officials to kidnap a federal witness—you have been denied bail as a severe flight risk and danger to the community."
Up on the second-floor balcony, Victoria stood holding her wool sweater tight, watching through the rain as the man who had terrorized her for three years was slammed against the hood of a car like a common criminal.
Derek lifted his muddy, rain-drenched face toward the balcony. His eyes met Victoria's through the glass.
The arrogant, sociopathic smirk was completely gone. In its place was a raw, hysterical terror he had never felt in his entire privileged life.
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"Victoria!" he screamed, his voice breaking into a desperate, pathetic screech over the sound of the rain and helicopter rotors. "Victoria, tell them! Tell them it's a mistake! Victoria!"
Victoria didn't say a word. She slowly raised her right hand, resting her fingers lightly against the purple marks on her neck, before turning her back on him and walking inside.
