Chapter 7 - The Trap is Set
Thirty-four minutes later, two unmarked black SUVs pulled silently down Evelyn Gable’s gravel driveway.
Four men and one woman stepped out, dressed in tactical gear with federal windbreakers clearly displaying the yellow insignia of the U.S. Treasury Department. Marcus was among them—a tall, sharp-featured man in his late thirties with intense dark eyes and an air of absolute competence.
He walked up the front steps, knocked once, and entered as Evelyn opened the door.
"Elena," Marcus said, stepping forward and extending his hand. "Thank God you and Lily made it out."
"Thank Evelyn," I said, shaking his hand firmly. "What's the plan?"
Marcus unrolled a laminated aerial map of our neighborhood across Evelyn’s kitchen table. Several small magnetic markers were placed near our house and the downtown luxury hotel where Derek was currently staying.
"Derek is scheduled to receive an automated notification from his home security system's smoke detector at 11:30 a.m.," Marcus explained, tapping a marker on the map. "Our tech team has intercepted that signal. Instead of triggering a fire alarm, our system is going to send a secure ping to his phone stating that the property insurance claim has been successfully verified and filed."
"He'll think the job is done," I realized.
"Exactly," Marcus nodded. "Once he receives that notification, he's going to drive back to the property to 'discover' the aftermath and play the grieving, shocked husband for the local authorities. That is when we pick him up—not just for financial fraud and conspiracy, but for attempted murder and solicitation of a federal crime."
"Can I be there?" I asked.
Marcus looked at me, hesitating. "Elena, it's going to be intense. You don't need to—"
"I need to see his face when he realizes his spreadsheet didn't account for us surviving," I interrupted, my voice leaving no room for argument.
Marcus studied me for a long moment, then gave a slow, respectful nod. "Alright. But you stay in the lead vehicle with me. Lily will stay here with Evelyn, under armed federal guard."
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Lily hugged me tightly around the waist before we left, burying her face in my jacket. "Be careful, Mommy."
"I always am, sweetheart," I whispered, kissing the top of her head. "I'm coming home."
