CHAPTER 8: The Men in Black Suits

The men who had walked out behind Victor were not bodyguards, though they looked like they could be.
One was the lead counsel for Hart Capital. One was a retired federal investigator who now handled private compliance reviews. The third was a court-appointed receiver Daniel had only met once, years ago, when he still believed receivers were for other men.
They did not surround him.
They did not need to.
The receiver spoke first.
"Mr. Voss, an emergency order has been requested to preserve documents, accounts, and communications related to Voss Holdings and the Hart Trust collateral."
Daniel looked at Amelia.
For the first time that morning, he seemed to understand she was not waiting to be rescued.
She had already chosen the door out.
Natalie whispered, "Daniel, fix this."
He almost laughed.
There was nothing left in him powerful enough to fix anything.
The courthouse steps, the cameras, the folders, the men in dark suits—every piece of the life he had performed was turning toward Amelia now.
The receiver did not sound angry. That frightened Daniel more than anger would have.
Anger left room for pleading. Procedure left room only for compliance.
And she was still seated on the stone, calmer than all of them.