Chapter 7 - THE LAST TRAP
Raymond disappeared before federal agents could arrest him.
Vincent wanted Amelia moved.
She refused.
“He’ll come for the drive.”
“The FBI has copies.”
“He doesn’t know that.”
“He probably does.”
“Then he’ll come for me.”
Vincent hated hearing it.
But she was right.
Raymond’s obsession was no longer about evidence.
It was about control.
Amelia proposed the trap herself.
Vincent said no.
She proposed it again.
“No.”
“You don’t own me.”
“I’m trying to keep you alive.”
“Then help me.”
Those words stopped him.
Not protect me.
Help me.
There was a difference.
They arranged for Amelia to appear alone at the diner after midnight.
Federal agents waited nearby.
Vincent waited in the kitchen.
Raymond entered through the rear door.
He looked exactly as Amelia remembered.
Calm.
Clean.
Confident.
“You look tired,” he said.
Amelia’s hands shook.
But she did not lower her eyes.
“You look smaller.”
His smile vanished.
“I gave you everything.”
“You gave me fear.”
“You loved me.”
“I survived you.”
Raymond stepped closer.
“Where’s the drive?”
“Everywhere.”
He stopped.
“Copies went to federal investigators, journalists, defense attorneys from cases you corrupted.”
His face changed.
“You stupid—”
He grabbed her.
Vincent moved.
But Amelia moved first.
She drove her knee upward, twisted free and stepped backward.
Raymond reached beneath his coat.
Vincent tackled him.
A gun slid across the floor.
Agents rushed inside.
Raymond screamed as they cuffed him.
“You think he’s better than me?”
Amelia looked at Vincent.
Then Raymond.
“No.”
Raymond smiled.
Then she continued.
“That’s the difference.”
The smile disappeared.
“He knows he isn’t.”
Raymond was taken away.
And Amelia watched the door close behind the man she had spent three years running from.
May you like
This time she stayed.
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