Chapter 4 - The Safe Haven
Morgan drove recklessly through the Chicago traffic, her hands locked so tightly on the steering wheel her knuckles turned white. She didn't stop until she reached the gates of Marcus’s private security firm downtown.
Marcus was waiting for her at the security desk, escorting her up to his private office. When she walked in, looking disheveled and wild-eyed, he immediately poured her a glass of water and sat her down.
“Talk to me. What happened?” Marcus asked gently.
Morgan pulled out her phone and showed him all the photographs of the forged documents, the insurance policies, and the offshore clinic flyers.
Marcus scrolled through them, his expression darkening with every swipe. “This is federal wire fraud, identity theft, and attempted premeditated murder. We have more than enough here to go straight to the police and get an immediate arrest warrant.”
“No,” Morgan said firmly, shaking her head. “Julian is smart. If we just go to local police, he might have a bail bondsman lined up, or he might flee before they pick him up. And if he’s out on bail, I’ll never be safe.”
“So what’s your play?” Marcus asked, crossing his arms.
“We trap him. He thinks I’m running scared. Let’s make him believe he’s winning, while we gather ironclad digital evidence of his financial dealings overseas.” Morgan’s eyes flashed with fierce determination. “And I know the exact place to draw him out. My grandmother’s cottage in Door County.”
Marcus stared at her for a long moment before a slow, approving grin crossed his face. “You’ve got steel in your spine, Morgan. Alright. Let’s set the stage.”
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Over the next forty-eight hours, Marcus’s team set up a secure perimeter, monitored Julian’s communications, and discovered that Julian was already liquidating secondary assets, preparing to flee the country within the week.
Morgan packed a single bag, checked out of her apartment, and drove north toward the Wisconsin border, leaving a trail of carefully breadcrumbs designed to make Julian think she was terrified, isolated, and running for her life.
