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lright, so, next, we need to find out what other service they might be contacting. When do their shipments go out? What is present in those shipments? We use the Feds and the FBI to call in a secret operation. There would be a bust. And more than once if we are lucky. They start to lose business; their connections start to squirm. They will cut ties and stop saving them.
I took advantage of my relationship with you to gather more proof for my case.
It will be seen as a power move by me. In fact, I will state it myself. Besides, I can always say that my plaintiff was abducted, which caused me to regain the passion for the case and break up with you. We can even stage a breakup if that suits us," Angela explained.
"Okay, even if we make everyone believe that we are not on the same side anymore, how does that help you? How does that help any of us? How does that keep you safe? You know what? It will only give Richardo another reason to just shoot you down. You'll be back on his hotlist. It's like walking straight into the lion's den. This is too risky and too outrageous. I can't let you do it," David spoke and looked clearly in agony.
"David, no. You don't understand. When I revealed the new facts to the court of law and to the media, my plaintiff was abducted, and so my relationship with Mr. Haywire has ended because of that. It would accelerate the proceedings of the court.
I will declare that our relationship was a ruse. And because my plaintiff was abducted, there's a threat to my life and that of Toby. This way, the court of law and the justice department can give us victim protection.
Victim protection means I will be guarded 24/7 round the clock. There will be guards, cameras, and everything else, making sure I'm safe. Heck, I will be allowed to carry the gun. That way, I'll become the least of your worries, and you can focus on getting the facts straight on Alveris. Toby and I will be safe," Angela ended.
Everyone went quiet for a moment as they realized that this was probably the biggest gameplay in the history of gameplays. Angela was a damn good lawyer for a reason. She knew how to cut corners but do so legally.
May, who was still a little lost, spoke up again, "Angela, you have to dumb it down for me. If you both are busy fighting the case, how will things proceed here? And like, you are in protection, how do you think we will communicate? David won't be allowed anywhere near you," May inquired.
"That's exactly the catch, May. We will have a public battle, so the world knows that David is in danger. Alveris would know that David is against me, and so he can trust him again, which will allow Alveris to slip back in and David to find legitimate proof. I can't be seen near him anyway.
Do you think Alveris is dumb enough not to verify the story himself? So, the further we are, the better it would be. Moreover, we will communicate. Just not by these easily traceable and tappable cell phones. We will do so through burner phones and highly encrypted, highly secure laptop devices," Angela said.
She continued again, "I have already asked Anthony to get them for all of us."
Anthony got up from his place and handed everyone a burner phone and burner device of their own.
"Now, back to the case. After I reveal the details of the abduction, there will be questions. And David might be put in handcuffs. But not for long. May, you will be allowed to bail him out. Because the only proof we have submitted for David being guilty is two recordings. Recordings are considered illegal.
Yes, I know. It's illegal to record someone without them not knowing. They are not considered the most concrete type of proof. So, it won't stand in court. The details of abduction will. But David will be able to escape that because he will have alibis.
The pizza shop people. This will beg the court to ask the question, who really was behind the abduction? And that's when I will bring Alveris to the court. Pelt him one by one with questions. And hopefully, present proof of misdeeds to the court.
His exposure will cause his alliances to hide away, and therefore, he won't get away with it this time, provided David finds some solid proof," Angela concluded and almost clapped in excitement. She was ready, and she was determined to take Alveris down...
"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. A stroke of genius. I'm in. Through and through. How did you even come up with this? I mean, wow. I'm thoroughly impressed. I'm ready to press charges for my abduction when you are. This is so exciting and so cool. Let's get this bread," Toby, who had been quiet for a long while now, spoke up.
Angela looked over at David now. It all rested on him. If he answered in the affirmative, they could go through with the plan. If he didn't, it would all be over. David had both his fingers touching his chin. He was lost in deep thought. May, on the other hand, was quivering with joy. It was evident that she really liked the plan.
"David, please say something. What do you think? And are you in?" Angela asked David.
"Angie, I, there's still so many loopholes. You take the abduction report. I'm called in; I might get bail because there's no solid proof. But then, the police would investigate the case. The NYPD will get involved. They'll find you out, and I was there with guns. They might find out that you are the one who shot him.
This all can backfire on us at any given point. You can't withhold facts from a court of law if I'm not wrong. Moreover, I chose to work with Alveris knowing what he was capable of. I was aware of the murder yet went on about the day. I'm not exactly free of blame here. I'm equally to blame. I was an accessory to all his illegal activities. And I made the decision to do so with a sane mind at the age of eighteen.
At eighteen, when you have the right to self-determination. I could've broken it off, but I didn't. How do you plan to exonerate me? While getting him evicted? It's not possible. He had evidence of me being involved with his works=. He will not rest and leave us in peace. We can't leave unscathed. There are too many loopholes, like I said," David concluded.
David was right. Angela took a seat and went into deep thinking, too. He was right. There was too much risk. David could very well get caught up in the ruse. "David, you are right. I don't plan on pursuing the case of abduction all the way. I just want it to get out there that you and I are not in the same boat. This will get the trial going. To gather proof that you are the one responsible, I'll ask for time, which will push the trial further into the future, giving you plenty of time to get dirt on Alveris, get his operation busted, and for the FBI to get involved. I'll use my links in the justice department, and you can find alliances in other places, to help us get Alveris to stand in the justice box.
As soon as he's there, I will withdraw my plea, or my case will be rejected anyway for lack of evidence. You will go unscathed that way, and Alveris won't know if it was us behind him getting tested and tried. No one comes after us because things will be done anonymously, and Alveris still won't be able to cash in favors because he would know your hands are tied. There. Is that better?
We don't interlink the two cases. Because you're right, it could get risky. I mean, not to toot my own horn. I'm a damn good lawyer, and I could have avoided the circumstances dropping down on you at all, but it's better to be safe. So, what do you say? Should we start?" Angela concluded.
"Hmm, that's better. I still need to think about this. And I need more than one day. I need to make sure that things are airtight. Nothing can be out of place. Everything must flow chronologically. So, I'll need time to review everything. Till then, please stay safe, stay on the down low. And wait," David ordered.
"Ugh, you're such a buzzkill. Just when I finally thought we were on a good track," May said as she got up, got hold of her bag, and left the room. Toby soon followed pursuit, and Angela saw him out.
When Angela came back, David was gone. Angela figured it would be best if she gave him some uninterrupted time to think and analyze. Meanwhile, she went over the plan herself. And scribbled down the phases.
Phase 1: Stage a public fight with David. Lodge the abduction car with Toby. Get David arrested. Have the first hearing. Allow for bail and ask for more time due to lack of proof. Ask for victim protection.
Phase 2: Spy on Alveris. Study his every move. Figure out what other company he's contacting. What days is he transporting? What is he transporting? And from where? Who are his contacts and major alliances around the world and in the States? Where does he go? What does he do?
Phase 3: Divide roles. Contact the FBI to call in a sting operation. Get him in the nick of time so that he is compelled to contact David. David turns him down due to his recent limelight. But stays on his good side, enough to find proof of his crimes and discard and destroy evidence of David's involvement.
Step 4: Give proof and evidence to the Feds. Look into Alveris' alliances, so he doesn't get away this time. Present their linkage to the Feds. Get him to trial. Get him arrested, and his counterparts around the world through foreign diplomats and Interpol. Withdraw plea against David.
Phase 5: ...
Hmm, what was phase 5 going to be? Angela kept thinking about it. What if they actually got away with this? What if Angela helped David get rid of his tormentor forever? All these years, he had been a captive to one man. He was never a free man. And he would finally be free. What would he do? What would they do? Phase 5 was tricky, but the good kind of tricky. And Angela really hoped that the two of them reached phase 5 without incurring any damages.
