Webb's Deal

Agent Sarah Kim's POV

FBI Agent Sarah Kim burst through the warehouse door with her weapon drawn, yelling one word that changed everything.

"Freeze!"

Twelve federal agents flooded in behind her, surrounding Catherine Webb, Judge Brennan, and the other conspirators before they could respond.

Jake Morrison looked shocked but glad to see real law enforcement arrive.

"Agent Kim, FBI Organized Crime Division," Sarah stated, showing her badge. "Catherine Webb, Harold Brennan, you're all under arrest for racketeering, conspiracy, and murder."

Catherine smiled quietly even as agents handcuffed her. "You have no proof that will stick. My lawyers will have me out by morning."

"We have Vincent Webb's computer files," Sarah responded. "Twenty years of records. Bank accounts. Communications. Everything."

For the first time, Catherine's smile faltered.

Sarah had been investigating the Webb group for three years. Tonight's arrests were the result of thousands of hours of work.

But something bothered her.

"Take them to headquarters," Sarah told her team. She turned to Jake. "Mr. Morrison, are you injured?"

"Just confused," Jake said. "What you said about my mother—"

"We'll explain everything. But first, we need to protect this scene."

As agents led the prisoners away, Sarah's phone rang. Her tech expert.

"Agent Kim, we've got a problem. Someone's trying to remotely wipe Vincent Webb's computer files. They're deleting proof right now."

Sarah's gut dropped. "Can you stop it?"

"Not without the security key. We'll lose everything in ten minutes."

Sarah looked at the prisoners being loaded into cars. Only one person could have that encrypted key.

Catherine Webb.

Sarah ran outside and pulled Catherine away. "Your brother's files are being removed. Give me the encryption key."

"Why would I do that?" Catherine asked.

"Because whoever's deleting those files wants to erase proof of your crimes too. They're cutting you free to save themselves."

Catherine's eyes narrowed. She understood. Someone higher in the group was abandoning her.

"The key is a sixteen-digit code," Catherine said slowly. "But I'll only give it to you in exchange for a deal."

"I'm not authorized to make deals."

"Then get someone who is. You have nine minutes before all that information disappears forever."

Sarah called her supervisor, explained the situation, and got emergency approval for witness protection and reduced charges in return for full cooperation.

"The code is 7734-2891-5566-1122," Catherine said.

Sarah communicated it to her tech team. Seconds later, they confirmed the files were safe.

"Now," Sarah said. "Tell me everything about your organization."

Catherine leaned back in her seat, her face calculating. "Where do I even start? We've been working for forty years. Politicians, judges, police chiefs in thirty-eight states. Drug dealing, money laundering, contract killings. My father built this empire, and I've grown it beyond his wildest dreams."

"Names," Sarah ordered. "I need names."

"I'll give you everyone," Catherine promised. "But you need to understand something. The people I'm about to expose? They won't let me speak. They'll try to kill me before I can talk."

"We'll protect you."

"Can you?" Catherine asked. "Can you really protect me from people who have governors and senators on their payroll?"

Sarah wanted to say yes, but honestly, she wasn't sure. The Webb organization had means and connections at the highest levels of government.

"We'll do our best," Sarah said finally.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Catherine answered.

They arrived at FBI offices and put Catherine in an interrogated room. Sarah spent the next hour recording Catherine's statement about the organization's structure, members, and activities.

It was bigger than Sarah had imagined. Hundreds of crooked officials. Billions of dollars. Crimes spanning decades.

"There's one more thing you should know," Catherine said. "About Jake Morrison's mother."

Sarah leaned forward. "What about her?"

"She wasn't just an undercover spy. She was our agent. She brought people into the group, convinced them to work for us. She was one of our best assets until she got pregnant with Jake and decided she wanted out."

Sarah felt sick. "You're lying."

"Am I? Check your own agency's old employment files. Look for Jennifer Morrison, secret operative, who disappeared from FBI records twenty-eight years ago. You'll find she was under investigation for corruption when she supposedly died in that car accident."

Sarah pulled out her phone and sent a message to her study team to verify Catherine's claims.

"If this is true," Sarah said slowly, "why kill her? Why not just let her leave?"

"Because she knew too much. And she promised to expose everything if we didn't let her go peacefully. My brother Marcus took care of the problem."

Sarah's phone buzzed. Her study team had found Jennifer Morrison's file.

Catherine was telling the truth. Jake's mother had been under investigation for cheating.

"This will destroy Jake," Sarah whispered.

"The truth often does," Catherine said coldly.

That's when the lights went out.

Emergency engines kicked in, but the building was in lockdown mode. Someone had cut the main power.

Sarah's radio crackled. "All spies, we have a breach! Armed attackers in the building! Multiple shooters!"

Gunfire exploded from somewhere below.

Catherine smiled in the darkness. "I told you they'd come for me."

Sarah drew her weapon and positioned herself at the door. Through the small window, she could see agents running through halls, taking defensive positions.

The attackers weren't trying to run. They were fighting their way up toward this floor.

Toward Catherine.

"How many did they send?" Sarah asked.

"Enough," Catherine responded. "These aren't beginners. These are former military contractors we keep on retainer for cases exactly like this."

More shots. Closer now.

Sarah's radio: "Agent Kim, evacuate your witness instantly! They're coming for her!"

Sarah grabbed Catherine. "We're going. Now."

They ran into the hallway, following other agents escorting prisoners to the secure elevator.

But the elevator doors opened to show three masked men with automatic weapons.

Everyone dove for cover as bullets tore through the hallway.

Two agents went down, wounded but living.

Sarah returned fire, forcing the attackers back into the elevator.

"Stairs!" she yelled, pulling Catherine toward the emergency exit.

They burst into the stairwell and starting climbing. Other agents followed, forming a protective formation around Catherine.

But Sarah could hear footsteps below them. The attackers had entered the stairs too.

They reached the roof entrance. Sarah kicked open the door and they emerged into night air.

A helicopter waited nearby—FBI transport ready for emergency evacuations.

"Go!" Sarah pushed Catherine toward the helicopter.

But before they reached it, more attackers appeared from the other side of the roof.

They were surrounded.

Sarah counted at least eight shooters, all professional, all armed with military-grade weapons.

Her team had maybe twelve agents, several already wounded.

"FBI! Drop your weapons!" Sarah commanded.

The attackers didn't respond. They just advanced steadily, their weapons raised.

Sarah knew she was about to die protecting a criminal who'd caused untold suffering.

But it was her job. And that witness evidence could bring down hundreds of corrupt officials.

"Last chance!" Sarah yelled. "Drop your—"

One of the attackers dropped his weapon slightly and spoke.

"We're not here for you, Agent Kim. We're here for her." He pointed at Catherine. "Step aside and nobody else has to die tonight."

Sarah didn't move. "That's not happening."

"Then you'll all die for nothing. Because even if you save her tonight, we'll kill her tomorrow. Or next week. Or next year. We're patient. We're everywhere. You can't protect her forever."

Sarah knew he was right. But she couldn't just hand over a witness.

The attacker shrugged. "Your funeral."

He raised his weapon.

That's when someone else emerged from the stairs behind Sarah.

Jake Morrison, shuffling on his crutches, his face determined.

"Wait!" Jake shouted.

Everyone turned to look at him.

"I know who you work for," Jake said to the attackers. "And I know what you want. But killing Catherine won't protect your company. Because I have something that will destroy you all whether she talks or not."

Jake pulled a USB drive from his pocket.

"My father's files. Twenty years of his secret probe. Names, times, evidence. Everything Catherine knows and more. Kill her if you want. But these files go public tonight unless you stand down right now."

The lead attacker spoke into his radio, then waited.

Finally, a voice came back.

The attacker dropped his weapon. "Our employer wants to negotiate."

"Who's your employer?" Sarah demanded.

The attacker smiled behind his mask. "Why don't you ask Jake Morrison's mother? She's standing right behind you."