Chapter 7 - The Loyal Friend Turns State's Witness
At 2:00 AM, Daniel Cross’s phone rang.
When Daniel answered with a trembling voice, it wasn’t Richard Mercer on the line. It was an emergency conference call featuring Marcus Vance, the Chief Compliance Officer of Halcyon Dynamics, and an Assistant United States Attorney from the Northern District of Illinois.
“Mr. Cross,” Marcus’s voice cut through the receiver with surgical precision. “We have already seized the mirror servers of Blue Meridian Consulting. We have your signature on twelve separate wire transfer authorizations directing stolen defense funds into private offshore accounts. Federal agents are currently preparing an arrest warrant for grand larceny, wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the federal government.”
Daniel broke down immediately, sobbing into the receiver. “It wasn't my idea! It was Richard! Richard set up the trusts! He told me he’d destroy my career if I didn't sign the nominee authorizations!”
“Then you have exactly four hours to make a decision, Daniel,” Marcus replied coldly. “You can either be named as the primary co-conspirator and face twenty-five years in federal prison, or you can sign a proffer agreement, turn over Richard’s private encryption keys, and deliver your full testimony to the Board of Directors at eight o’clock this morning.”
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“I’ll sign!” Daniel wept, his voice echoing in his empty apartment. “I’ll sign whatever you want! Just keep me out of prison! Richard has the master ledger in his home safe—encrypted on a black flash drive!”
“We already know,” Marcus said calmly. “Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Cross. A town car will pick you up at six.”
