The Blackwood Deception

Chapter 9: Betrayals Within Betrayals

Sam was completely shocked seeing the name of his partner and mentor on the list. She was completely blind that what she was going to do now. She has known him for eight years now.

“Sam are you there?” Sam, keeping her voice completely normal. “Yeah, I am here following the blackwood case if something come up. I will call you. See you at the police station.” Sam hung up.

Suddenly there were multiple vehicles approaching. Julia was closing her system.

Alexander pulling Sam out of shock. “We don’t have much time we need to move out now. What are you thinking?”

"Sometimes," Sam said, pulling out her badge, "the best place to hide is in plain sight."

The guys then busted the door open. Sam suddenly put up an act. When they reached the top of the Lighthouse, they saw Alexander handcuffed and Sam pointing her gun on him. Huge bulky figured guys were surprised. “Agent Carter what are you doing here?”

"Police!" she shouted. "Lower your weapons!"

Vance stepped out of the dark. "Richard Vance, private security for Blackwood Enterprises. We've been tracking this man for weeks."

Sam, keeping up the act. “Care to tell me. How did you find him before the police.” Vance was caught off guard with this question. “Well, we got an anonymous tip.”

“Hmmm. Anonymous tip you say but this is a police matter now. Mr. Blackwood is coming with me."

"I don't think so," Vance said, his men forming a wall. "We have instructions to return him to his family."

"Is that so?" Sam kept her gun steady. "And those instructions came from...?"

"Above your pay grade, Detective."

Sam laughed. "Nothing's above my pay grade when I'm the one holding the gun, Mr. Vance."

Vance was pissed by this taunt. Then the lighthouse door banged open again.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Jack Morrison walked in; his own weapon drawn. He took in the scene with narrow eyes.

"Jack," Sam said, genuine shock in her voice. "How did you?”

"Tracked your phone," he said rudely. "You think I don't know when you're lying to me?" He turned to Vance. "Lower your weapons, all of you. Now."

To Sam's surprise, Vance complied. "Detective Morrison. We weren't expecting you."

"Clearly," Jack said. He turned to Sam. "You okay, partner?"

Sam nodded slowly, unable to read his game. "I've got Alexander Blackwood in custody."

"I see that." Jack's eyes flicked to Vance. "We'll take it from here."

"Our orders" Vance began.

"Have changed," Jack cut him off. "The commissioner just called in. This is now a federal matter."

Vance's face darkened. "Since when?"

"Since about twenty minutes ago, when someone leaked evidence of massive financial fraud at Blackwood Enterprises to the FBI."

Sam fought to keep her face neutral. What was Jack playing at?

Vance pulled out his phone, stepping away to make a call. After a tense conversation, he returned, his expression murderous.

"This isn't over," he said quietly.

"Never said it was," Jack replied. "Now clear out."

After Vance and his men departed, Sam kept her gun trained on Jack. "Want to explain why your name is on a list of Midnight Circle associates?"

Jack's eyes widened. "The Midnight Circle? You've heard of them?"

"Answer the question, Jack."

He slowly raised his hands. "I'm not with them, Sam. I'm investigating them. Have been for years."

"Prove it," Alexander demanded from behind Sam.

Jack sighed. "Your father didn't just suspect me, Sam. He recruited me. Fresh out of the academy, I was assigned to work with James Carter on what seemed like routine corruption cases. But they were all connected." He nodded at Alexander. "All leading back to the Blackwood’s and their circle."

"My father knew?" Sam's voice wavered.

"He knew everything. When they killed him, I promised to continue. Deep cover. Let them think I was buyable." Jack's eyes locked with Sam's. "I couldn't tell you. For your protection."

"How convenient," Alexander said bitterly.

"Check my left ankle," Jack said.

Sam glanced down, noticing a slim black device strapped above his shoe. "A wire?"

"Been recording everything for the feds for three years. Tonight included." He nodded toward the stairs. "We need to move. Vance will report to his superiors, and they'll send more men."

"Where's Julia?" Sam suddenly realized the data analyst had vanished during the confrontation.

"Here," came a voice from the lighthouse balcony. Julia emerged from the shadows with a satellite phone. "I've confirmed his story with my FBI contact. Jack Morrison has been a confidential informant since 2019."

Sam slowly lowered her weapon, mind reeling. "So, what now?"

"Now," Jack said badly, "we get you all to a safe house. The FBI is moving on the Circle tonight, but they won't get everyone."

As they hurried down the lighthouse stairs, Sam grabbed Jack's arm. "Wait. If you're really on our side, what about Michael? Is he alive?"

Jack's face fell. "I don't know. The warehouse was empty when I got there. Just blood on the floor."

Alexander stumbled. "No..."

"We'll find him," Sam promised, though uncertainty gnawed at her. "Let's go."

The safe house was a modest cabin thirty miles outside the city. As Julia set up her equipment, Jack briefed them on the FBI operation.

"They've had pieces of this puzzle for years, but never enough for mass arrests. Your evidence changed that."

"And my father?" Sam asked. "You're certain the Circle killed him?"

Jack hesitated. "It's complicated, Sam."

"How?"

Before Jack could answer, Julia called out, "You need to see this!"

On her laptop screen, a news broadcast showed the FBI raiding Blackwood Enterprises. The anchor's voice was breathless with breaking news: "In a stunning development, CEO Howard Blackwood has been taken into custody along with twelve city officials..."

"It's happening," Alexander breathed. "Finally."

Jack's phone buzzed. He answered, listening intently before his face went pale. "We need to move. Now."

"What's wrong?" Sam demanded.

"That was my FBI contact. The commissioner wasn't arrested, he was tipped off. And he knows about this safe house."

As if on cue, headlights swept across the cabin windows.

"Back door," Jack ordered, drawing his weapon.

They raced through the kitchen toward the rear exit only to find it blocked by a familiar figure.

"Going somewhere?" Michael Blackwood asked, blood staining his shirt but very much alive. And behind him stood Commissioner Davis, lined up by armed officers.

"Michael?" Alexander gasped. "What's going on?"

Michael's smile was cold. "I'm sorry, brother. But you were always too idealistic for your own good."

Sam's world tilted as the pieces rearranged themselves. "You're with them. This whole time..."

"Not just with them," Commissioner Davis said proudly. "Michael is next in line to lead the Circle. Has been groomed for it since childhood."

"The letter," Sam realized. "The kidnapping. It was all staged."

Michael nodded. "Father made his choice clear, Alexander was the favorite, the heir to everything. I merely... created an alternate succession plan."

"By framing our father," Alexander said, his voice hollow.

"He deserved it," Michael snapped. "He was going to tear down everything our ancestors built. Just like you."

Jack moved slightly, positioning himself between the commissioner and Sam. "There are federal agents on their way here right now."

Commissioner Davis laughed. "You think we don't have people in the Bureau too?"

Sam caught Jack's eye, reading his intent. Her hand moved toward her backup weapon.

"One last thing I don't understand," she said, playing for time. "If Michael's been working for the Circle all along, why send me the keys? Why lead me to the evidence?"

Michael smiled. "Because, Detective Carter, we needed to know who else was investigating us. You led us straight to Julia Chen, straight to my brother's hiding place, and" his eyes glared "you confirmed that Jack Morrison has been a federal informant."

Sam's blood ran cold. They'd been played masterfully.

"Now," the Commissioner said, raising his weapon, "I'm afraid this ends here."

Multiple guns were raised. A heartbeat of silence.

Then everything exploded into chaos.

The End