“Even if that’s true, Samantha,” he whispered, “it doesn’t change the board.The seizure has already been executed.
The assets are in federal escrow.
The paperwork is filed.
You can tear up that copy, but the digital signatures are locked in the registry.”
“The digital signatures were routed through my terminal, Julian,” I said.“Not yours.
Not Chloe’s.”
I picked up the black satellite phone, tapped the screen twice, and held it up so they could both see the glowing amber display.
ESCROW REALLOCATION: COMPLETE.
BENEFICIARY: UNITED STATES MARITIME LOGISTICS ADMINISTRATION.
STATUS: SEALED – CLASSIFIED UNDER TITLE 50.
“The Harrington terminals don’t belong to Aegis Coastal Transit,” I said.“They don’t belong to Evelyn.
They don’t belong to Julian.
They belong to the federal government now.
National security assets.
Placed under permanent administrative lockdown.”
Julian’s face collapsed.The color left his cheeks in a gray, sickly wash.
