CHAPTER 5: The Trap
Sarah went straight to Ryan's office.
She played him the recording.
Ryan listened without interrupting. When it ended, he leaned back in his chair and smiled.
"She's blackmailing you with a crime that happened three years ago. And you were a victim, not an accomplice."
"But I didn't report Mark," Sarah said. "Doesn't that make me guilty?"
Ryan shook his head. "I had my lawyers dig into Mark's past when we first met, Sarah. I knew about the fraud. But I also knew you were being coerced. You have emails and texts from Mark threatening you. We can prove you were a victim of domestic coercion."
Sarah felt a wave of relief. "You knew this whole time?"
"I was waiting for you to trust me enough to tell me yourself." He took her hand. "But now, Lena has given us a gift. She just confessed to attempted extortion on a recorded line. She's going to prison."
Two days later, Sarah walked into the Riverside Café again.
This time, Ryan was waiting in the car outside. Federal agents were scattered around the building, disguised as customers.
Lena was practically vibrating with greed. "Did you bring the money?"
Sarah placed a briefcase on the table. "It's all here. But first, I want you to sign a document stating you'll never contact me or Ryan again."
Lena grabbed the pen without reading the fine print.
The moment she signed, Sarah stood up.
"You just signed a confession, Lena. And this conversation is being recorded by federal agents."
Lena's face went pale. "What?"
Four agents stood up from surrounding tables. They flashed their badges.
"Lena Morgan, you are under arrest for attempted extortion, blackmail, and conspiracy to commit fraud."
May you like
Lena screamed as they handcuffed her.
Sarah walked out without looking back.
