Chapter 3 - Sirens and Escorts
The wail of approaching municipal sirens tore through the sunny afternoon air, slicing across the opulent facade of the grand hotel ballroom. Red and blue emergency lights flashed violently against the tall glass windows, casting an erratic strobe effect over the panicked faces of the elite guests who were now frantically scrambling toward the exit doors, desperate to distance themselves from a crime scene involving a high-profile socialite and federal asset recovery protocols.
Two emergency medical technicians burst through the double doors of the ballroom, carrying a heavy trauma gurney and medical bags. Their boots clicked sharply against the hardwood floor as they rushed past the scattered pink balloons and ruined gift displays, heading straight for the center of the room where Maya lay on the polished floor.
"Paramedics! Give us room!" the lead medic commanded, kneeling beside Maya with swift, practiced efficiency. He checked her pulse, noting her elevated heart rate and immediate labor progression. "Contractions are coming every ninety seconds. Her water broke twenty minutes ago. We need to transport immediately."
Lena helped lift Maya onto the padded stretcher, her hands trembling as she smoothed back Maya’s sweat-dampened hair. "I'm coming with you, Maya. I'm not leaving your side."
"Stay," Maya whispered, catching Lena’s hand with surprising strength. "Go to my car. Retrieve the silver briefcase in the trunk. Take it straight to Special Agent Vance at the federal bureau downtown. He’s expecting it."
Before Lena could question the cryptic instruction, two municipal police officers stepped into the ballroom, their hands resting on their holstered service weapons. They didn't head for the gurney; they marched directly toward Diane, who was still screaming obscenities at the executives holding her.
"Diane Vance?" the senior officer asked, his voice flat and authoritative.
Diane yanked her arms free, adjusting her pearl necklace with an indignant sniff. "Yes, I am Diane Vance! And you need to arrest that ungrateful girl on the stretcher right now! She assaulted me, she refused to hand over foundation funds—"
"Diane Vance, you are under arrest for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and felony embezzlement," the officer interrupted crisply, snapping heavy steel handcuffs around her wrists with a sharp, metallic click.
May you like
The color drained entirely from Diane’s face. The arrogant socialite facade shattered instantly, replaced by sheer, unadulterated shock. "You can't arrest me! Do you know who I am?! I sit on the municipal zoning board! I golf with the mayor!"
"Your municipal accounts were frozen by federal mandate three minutes ago, Mrs. Vance," the officer stated coldly, guiding her toward the exit doors. "You don't sit on anything anymore except a hard wooden bench downtown."
