Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

Tense yet hopeful in Fiona's apartment, she, Julian, Emma, Rosa, and Victor all sat around the table and worked to determine their next move. Their trial operation had just harvested a great deal of incriminating data against Harold Benton and that network; with their success, however, they knew that the real battle was now set to begin.

At the head of the table stood Fiona, with the map of the town stretched out across the table in the middle of the room. To Fiona's right was Julian, who was glued to his laptop, fingers clacking on the keyboard to check the intelligence information they had gathered. On her left was Emma, who examined the documents and recordings obtained. Victor and Rosa, both visibly concentrated, came up with the points they brought forward and offered their extra support.

"Now that we have real, significant evidence, we need to present it to District Attorney Hayes in such a fashion it's irrefutable," Fiona started to explain. "Our goal here is to make sure Benton and his associates can't wiggle their way out of this with their influence and power."

"I've already made a detailed dossier of all the proofs. It's nice, pointy — it connects Benton directly with those financial manipulations and corruption."

Emma nodded, heaving a few key documents in front of Fiona. "These are the smoking guns, clear records of underhand, furtive transactions and communications; Benton and his network were always so careful… but never careful enough.

Victor leaned back, his face thoughtful. "We also need to consider the public angle. Once this goes to court, Benton's team will try and spin any kind of narrative out of this we should be ready with a media strategy to make sure the truth gets out there."

Rosa said, "And we can't forget about our safety. We've already seen how far they'll go to protect their secrets. We need to stay vigilant and have contingency plans."

Fiona's eyes swept the room in front of her, a mixture of determination and gratitude in her gaze. "We've come this far together, and we're on the brink of exposing the truth. Let's make sure we do it right."

The very next morning, Fiona and Julian headed to see the district attorney. They had an appointment with District Attorney Marcus Hayes, an experienced prosecutor reputed for being a person of integrity and fervor for justice. They hoped he was going to be the ally they needed to nail Benton and his associates.

The office was small, filled with shelves holding legal text after legal text, and decorated with a small spattering of awards, among the photos of Hayes with various important-looking people. He welcomed Fiona and Julian warmly, the serious look in his eyes also cheerful.

"Ms. Collins, Mr. Ward, I've been following your case closely. I understand you have some significant new evidence.

Fiona nodded and gave him the dossier they had compiled. "This includes the latest findings we have come up with—documents and recordings—that link Harold Benton directly to the corruption and financial manipulations."

Hayes then took up the file and started reading it page by page, his face gradually becoming fiercer by each page. He looked up at them after a few minutes of dead silence, and his eyes emanated keenness and grit.

"This is it," said Hayes. "If this evidence holds up in court, then we have a very strong case against Benton and his network. However, we have to tread very carefully. Benton's reach is long; he's not going down without a fight."

Julian leaned back, his voice strong. "And we're willing to testify and do whatever we have to in supporting the case. We were very careful to ensure this evidence stands on its own without being able to be open to attack."

"'We'll need to build an airtight case, but with your cooperation, I believe we can do it,' said Hayes. His face was set determinedly. 'I will get a team right away to review this evidence and start the legal proceedings." While that's in process, I recommend you all be vigilant. Benton's network may retaliate when they realize we're closing in."',

Relief and resolution washed over Fiona and Julian as they walked out of the district attorney's office. They knew they had taken a step forward in the fight, but much more remained on the road leading them to a treacherous trap full of danger and uncertainties.

That evening, returning to her apartment, Fiona felt something had happened. Although locked, the door had scratch marks beside the handle, and when she opened it, she saw her living room all ransacked, papers all over the floor, drawers open, and her laptop was gone.

She had her fingers flying as she called Julian and Emma at the same time. In a matter of minutes, the house was already filled with their presence. Julian went straight to analyzing the crime scene; Emma rang the police and reported the breaking and entering crime.

"This isn't just a random burglary," Julian said as his eyes scanned around the room. "They were looking for something specific—probably the evidence we have regarding Benton.

Emma nodded, her face somewhat pale but resolute. "We need to be even more careful. This is something like a clear warning that they're watching us and will do anything to protect their secrets."

The police arrived and took their statements, promising that they would investigate the burglary. But Fiona knew deep within her heart that it was way more than just a burglary; this was a message sent from the other side.

Instead they girded up their loins and thus with more determination. They relocated to a safer environment, an office space facilitated with heightened security by Victor's contacts.

They also began taking personal precautions. Julian installed surveillance systems in their homes and vehicles and they adopted strict protocols of communication and movement. They were determined thus will not let the intimidation by Benton derail them from their mission.

Patricia, their lawyer, moved over to the new office, where she could put her ideas to good use in preparing for the fight that lay ahead. "We have to play the game well this time, and we have to play it carefully. The evidence that we have should be presented in a manner that is well-documented and confirmed."

A few days later, as Fiona was going through some of the new evidence gathered, an encrypted e-mail arrived from an unknown sender to her inbox. The message held information, in great detail, about another key player within Benton's network, one that they had not formerly identified.

The impression is that the sender is an insider who sought to right a wrong and sent much information about this new person whom he alleged was tainted with corruption. The email attached detailed transaction records, emails, even audio recordings and pinned some of this on Benton and his associates.

Fiona shared the information with their team. "This might be our break," she said. "If he is legit, this will be a bombshell."

Julian and Emma started to check the veracity of the information; Victor got on to his contacts, to build a more robust profile on the new person.

That evening, when the team was assembled to discuss the steps ahead of them, Victor came up with a rather risky proposition. "We have to meet this inside man," he said. "If he's willing to disclose more information, then this can potentially be very, very valuable. But on this one we have to be sure there's no set-up."

Julian readily concurred, albeit with hesitation. "We should just set it up as safe as possible. This might be our only best shot at nailing them solid,.

Fiona, however, was still apprehensive but had the presence of mind to see its potential. "Let's do it. We'll plan this carefully and make sure we're fully prepared."

They arranged to meet with the insider at a remote cabin outside the city, a place that would afford them some amount of privacy and security. Julian and Victor took charge of securing the area and making sure they weren't tailed.

As arrangements were made and more specific timings worked out in the run-up to the meeting, Fiona, Emma, and Julian arrived on the morning of the day of the meeting to set up the safe house, replete with back-up plans of close by law enforcement officers on hand if things went south.

The inside woman was punctual and probably in her mid-life stage, with the air that she had always been careful but now had nothing to lose. She introduced herself as Sarah Blake, an ex-employee of one of Benton's shell companies perennially jaded by the corruption.

"I couldn't stay silent any longer," Sarah said, her voice steady. "What Benton and his network are doing is wrong, and they need to be stopped. I have more information that can help you."

Fiona listened carefully as Sarah narrated her story, providing further documentation and insights into the operations of Benton. The new evidence was compelling and added enormous weight to their case.

Fiona was full of gratitude and determination in that moment, as they wound up the meeting. "Sarah, you're so brave. Your life and evidence will not be in vain; we're going to do everything to use it in bringing Benton and his network to justice."

It was a way ahead, now thorny, still with increasing resolve that the investigation be taken to its logical conclusion with newly found evidence and allies by one's side, like Sarah. Fiona and her team were starting to find springs in their steps.

As they readied themselves for the coming phase of battle, Fiona was well aware that they were closer than ever to achieving the justice they sought. The truth was within reach now, and with her team's strength and resilience, she was confident they would win this.