The First Strike Novel

---- Chapter 2 Caroline Park didn't do family law. She did corporate warfare and political assassinations-the legal kind. But when | showed up at her penthouse at midnight, she took one look at my face and poured two glasses of bourbon. "Tell me everything," she said. I did. The video. The money. Blake's pathetic excuses. Sophie's betrayal-we'd been roommates for four years at Yale, bridesmaids at each other's mock weddings, goddamn blood sisters. Caroline listened without interrupting. When | finished, she smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. "Blake Morrison,' she said slowly.

"VP at Hartwell Investments. Father's a state senator. Mother's on the board of half the charities in Connecticut." "That's him." "And Sophie Martin. Freelance 'social media consultant. Lives off her parents' trust fund and your connections." "Also her." Caroline pulled out her laptop. "Let me show you something." She turned the screen toward me. Bank records. Dozens of transactions over the past eight months. Blake transferring money to Sophie. Sophie transferring money to a company called Sunset Properties LLC. "They bought a beach house,' Caroline said. "In the Hamptons.

Using your money and his father's political connections to fast-track the permits." My hands clenched around the bourbon glass. "How long have they been planning this?" ---- "At least a year. Probably since you introduced them at your birthday party." | remembered that night. Sophie gushing about how lucky | was. Blake being unusually charming to my friends. The two of them laughing together in the corner. I'd thought they were bonding. "There's more," Caroline continued. "Blake took out a life insurance policy on you six months ago. Two million dollars.

He's listed as the sole beneficiary." The room tilted. "What?" "He forged your signature. | have copies." She pulled out another document. "And three weeks ago, he increased your car's insurance coverage. Specifically the death benefit clause." | couldn't breathe. "You think he was going to-* "| think after the wedding, you would've had a very unfortunate accident." Caroline's voice was ice. "And Blake would've been the grieving widower who inherited your trust fund, your company shares, and a life insurance payout." "Jesus Christ." "Sophie was probably in on it.

The affair video going public tonight wasn't planned-someone leaked it early. My guess? A guilty conscience or a falling out between thieves." | drained the bourbon. "What do | do?" Caroline's smile returned. "We destroy them. Legally, financially, socially. We take everything they have and everything they ever hoped to have." "How?" She opened a new folder on her laptop. "| made some calls. Blake's been embezzling from Hartwell Investments. Small amounts, but consistent.

His father's been covering for him, using campaign funds to plug the holes." "That's-" ---- "Federal campaign finance fraud. Yes." Caroline's eyes glittered. "And Sophie? She's been running a blackmail operation on the side. Targeting married men she meets through your social circle. | have evidence of at least six victims." "How did you get all this?" "I'm very good at my job." She closed the laptop. "The question is: how far are you willing to go?" | thought about Blake's hand on my wrist. Sophie's face in that video, smiling like she'd won.

The life insurance policy with my forged signature. "All the way,' | said. "Burn it down."