Chapter 5 - The Net ClosesThe federal investigation moved with terrifying, unstoppable speed.
Within forty-eight hours of our return from Hawaii, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago formally indicted both Eleanor Carlyle and Derek Carlyle on multiple counts of wire fraud, securities manipulation, identity theft, and conspiracy to commit extortion.
The media frenzy was instantaneous.
“BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS ESCAPES HONEYMOON HORROR: The Inside Story of the Carlyle Corporate Con,” blared the front page of the Chicago Tribune, accompanied by a photograph of Derek stepping out of a federal courthouse with his face ducked behind a expensive leather portfolio, his broken nose covered by a thick white bandage.
I didn't watch the news. I spent those three days in Marcus’s office, systematically reviewing every single property, trust, and foundation my father had built, purging every trace of Carlyle influence from our records.
On the fourth day, there was a sharp knock on the frosted glass door of my temporary office.
Marcus walked in, accompanied by a woman in a sharp navy blue federal prosecutor’s suit—Special Agent Sarah Jenkins of the FBI’s White-Collar Crime Division.
"Elena," Marcus introduced us. "Agent Jenkins has an update on the financial audit. And a visitor downstairs in the holding bullpen who insists on speaking with you."
Agent Jenkins stepped forward, extending her hand. Her grip was firm, professional, and entirely devoid of pretense.
"Ms. Bellamy, first let me commend you for keeping that recording," Agent Jenkins said, pulling a tablet from her leather folio. "That single audio file of Eleanor Carlyle giving marching orders during the assault shaved six months off our timeline for securing a no-bail federal warrant."
"I'm glad it helped," I said evenly. "Who is downstairs?"
Agent Jenkins exchanged a glance with Marcus before answering.
"Derek," she said simply. "He's cooperating with the U.S. Attorney’s office in exchange for a reduced sentence recommendation. He claims he has information regarding your father’s medical records that completely changes the scope of our investigation."
My heart skipped a beat. "My father's medical records? What is he talking about?"
"He says Eleanor didn't just manipulate your father's real estate portfolio," Agent Jenkins said quietly. "He claims she had direct access to your father's personal physician during his final hospitalization—and that his heart attack wasn't natural."
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The oxygen vanished from the room.
"Bring him up," I said, my voice dropping into a dangerous, icy register. "Bring him to the conference room right now."
