Chapter 10 - The Unraveling Syndicate
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The Department of Justice officially unsealed a sweeping forty-count federal indictment.
The charges spanned across three federal districts and implicated twelve high-ranking conspirators.
National news networks broadcast the story across the country during prime-time evening broadcasts.
Headlines blared across social media: “Corrupt Military Smuggling Ring Dismantled by DoD Inspector General.”
The surveillance video of Ethan pouring hot coffee onto Evelyn went viral, garnering tens of millions of views within hours.
Commentators praised the icy composure and absolute professionalism of Special Agent Cross.
Public outrage reached a boiling point, with citizens demanding swift and merciless justice for the disgraced staff sergeant.
Any hope Ethan had of a quiet plea deal vanished under the glare of national media attention.
Politicians who had previously accepted donations from the smuggling network scrambled to issue condemnations.
In the Pentagon, the Chief of Naval Operations ordered a branch-wide audit of all logistics commands.
Every base, every armory, and every depot was placed under immediate review.
The culture of silence that had protected men like Ethan was being systematically eradicated.
Sitting in her temporary office, Evelyn watched the news coverage on a small television mounted on the wall.
Marcus walked in, dropping a fresh stack of court filings onto her desk.
“The public is baying for blood, Evelyn,” Marcus said with a grim smile.
“Caldwell’s defense team is begging for a plea bargain.”
“What did the U.S. Attorney say?” Evelyn asked without looking away from the screen.
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“No deals,” Marcus replied firmly.
“He pleads guilty to every count on the indictment, or he faces the jury on Monday morning.”
