Chapter 11 - THE HOUSE ON BRIAR ROAD
The two men claimed to be private investigators.
Maya did not open the door.
"We just want the company property," one called.
"Then get a warrant."
"You know we don't need one."
That told Maya everything.
She called local police and placed the phone on speaker where they could hear the dispatcher.
The men backed away.
Then one of them threw a rock through Claire's side window.
Maya moved before he could throw another.
She came through the front door fast, blocked his arm, swept his leg, and pinned him against the hood of the sedan.
The second man reached into his coat.
"Don't," Maya said.
Police sirens sounded in the distance.
He ran.
The captured man had no license, no business card, and no legal contract.
He did have a text from Malcolm Voss.
RECOVER KEY. NO POLICE.
By sunrise, federal prosecutors had enough for a search warrant.
By noon, Meridian's headquarters was being imaged by forensic teams.
Victor held a press conference anyway.
"I am the victim of a politically motivated smear campaign," he announced.
A reporter shouted, "Did you slap Dr. Maya Brooks?"
Victor looked directly into the camera.
"She provoked me."
Across town, Maya watched the broadcast.
Then the forensic analyst beside her whispered, "We found Jonah's file."
Maya turned.
"And?"
The analyst swallowed.
May you like
While police questioned the captured man, Claire's daughter came downstairs clutching a stuffed rabbit. 'Aunt Maya, are bad people here?' Maya crouched to her height and said the police were making sure everyone stayed safe. The child nodded, then looked at Maya's bruised cheek. 'Did a bad person do that too?' Maya hesitated. 'A person made a bad choice.' Claire watched from the doorway. Later she told Maya that distinction mattered more than she knew. It kept evil from becoming something magical and unbeatable.
"Someone accessed it last night. From inside the federal system."
