Monica And The FBI

Monica sat in Simon's law office reviewing Germany Slater's financial records. Three days of investigation had revealed the scope of his scheme. Bank fraud, embezzlement, blackmail, and conspiracy charges would put him away for decades.

"The FBI wants to meet with you and George tomorrow," Simon said. "Agent Rodriguez is building the federal case."

"What about Sharon?"

"She's cooperating. Gave them everything about Germany's plan in exchange for a reduced sentence."

Monica wasn't surprised. Sharon had always been a coward underneath her manipulative exterior.

George entered the office carrying coffee and looking better than he had in months. Clean shaven, pressed shirt, clear eyes. Almost like the man Monica had married.

"The restraining order was approved," George announced. "Germany can't contact me or come near Winston Corporation."

"Good. That gives us time to secure the evidence before he realizes what's happening."

Monica's phone buzzed with a text from her doctor's office confirming her appointment for next week. The pregnancy was progressing normally, but she still hadn't told George.

"Monica, are you okay?" George noticed her distraction.

"Fine. Just tired from all this legal preparation."

George sat across from her. "I know this is overwhelming. You could still go to Boston if you want. Simon and I can handle the rest."

"I'm seeing this through. Germany needs to pay for what he did."

"To both of us," George said quietly.

The past three days had been strange. Working together again, remembering why they'd been attracted to each other originally. But Monica kept her emotional distance. Trust would take time to rebuild.

"There's something else we need to discuss," Simon said. "Your marriage to Sharon, George. The annulment process."

"How long will it take?"

"Six months minimum. The court has to review all the coercion evidence."

Monica felt a stab of disappointment. She'd been hoping George would be free sooner.

"In the meantime, you're legally separated. Sharon moved out of the penthouse yesterday."

"Finally. I can't stand living with her anymore."

Monica's phone rang. Unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Monica Charleston? This is Germany Slater."

Monica's blood ran cold. She gestured frantically to Simon and George.

"What do you want, Germany?"

"I know what you're planning. Simon's little investigation. The FBI meetings. Very clever."

Simon was already calling the FBI to trace the call.

"You're going to prison, Germany. The evidence is overwhelming."

"Maybe. But I have insurance. Photos of you and George at the hotel. Very intimate photos."

Monica's stomach dropped. "You were watching us?"

"I watch everything that concerns my business interests. Those photos could be very embarrassing if they reached the right media outlets."

George grabbed the phone from Monica. "Leave her alone, Germany. This is between us."

"Nothing is just between us anymore, George. Monica made it personal when she decided to help you."

"What do you want?"

"Simple. Drop the charges. Forget about the evidence. Let me keep the money I've earned managing your company."

"You mean the money you stole."

"Details. You have twenty-four hours to decide. Otherwise, those photos go viral and Monica's reputation gets destroyed."

The line went dead.

Monica felt sick. "He has photos of us?"

"Security cameras in the hotel hallways," Simon said grimly. "He must have bribed someone for access."

"This is my fault," George said. "I should never have gone to your hotel room that night."

"We both made that choice."

"The photos don't matter," Simon declared. "We have him on blackmail now. Recording this call was perfect evidence."

Monica wasn't so sure. "My father will see those photos. My mother. Everyone in Connecticut."

"Monica, don't let him manipulate you the same way he manipulated me."

"It's different for women, George. Those photos could destroy my reputation permanently."

"Then what do you want to do?"

Monica thought about the baby. If those photos went public, her child would eventually see them. The shame and embarrassment would follow them both forever.

"We continue with the FBI case," she decided. "But we need to be prepared for the consequences."

"Are you sure?"

"Germany has been controlling people with blackmail for too long. Someone has to stop him."

George looked relieved. "Thank you for not backing down."

"Don't thank me yet. This is going to get ugly."

That evening, Monica returned to her hotel room exhausted. The FBI meeting had lasted four hours. Agent Rodriguez seemed confident they could prosecute Germany successfully, but warned that he would fight back with everything he had.

Monica was changing clothes when someone knocked on her door.

"Room service," a voice called.

Monica hadn't ordered room service. She looked through the peephole and saw a delivery uniform but couldn't see the person's face clearly.

"I didn't order anything."

"Delivery for Monica Charleston. Pre-paid."

Something felt wrong. Monica called the front desk.

"Did anyone arrange room service for room 412?"

"No ma'am. No deliveries scheduled for your room tonight."

Monica's heart raced. She called George immediately.

"Germany is here. Someone's trying to get into my room pretending to be room service."

"I'm calling the police. Don't open the door."

"I won't."

Monica heard footsteps moving away from her door. Car engines starting in the parking lot. By the time police arrived twenty minutes later, whoever had been there was gone.

"We'll increase patrols around the hotel," Officer Martinez promised. "But you might want to consider moving to a more secure location."

After the police left, George arrived with an overnight bag.

"I'm staying here tonight. On the couch," he clarified quickly.

"George, you don't need to—"

"Yes, I do. Germany is escalating because we're close to exposing him. I won't let him hurt you."

Monica was too scared to argue. "Okay. But just for tonight."

George set up his bedding on the small couch. "Monica, there's something I need to tell you."

"What?"

"During our marriage, I was never acting when I said I loved you. The business arrangement part was true, but my feelings were real."

Monica's heart ached. "George..."

"I know it's too late. I know I destroyed everything. But I needed you to know that loving you was the only real thing in my life."

Monica touched her stomach where their baby was growing. "It's not too late for everything."

"What do you mean?"

She almost told him about the pregnancy. The words were right there. But fear held her back.

"I mean we can still be friends. Partners in bringing down Germany."

George nodded, though disappointment flickered in his eyes.

"Friends is more than I deserve after what I put you through."

Monica turned off the lights and climbed into bed. In the darkness, she listened to George settling on the uncomfortable couch.

"George?"

"Yeah?"

"When this is over, when Germany is in prison and your marriage is annulled, what will you do?"

"Try to rebuild Winston Corporation. Germany damaged a lot of business relationships."

"And personally?"

Long silence.

"Hope that someone might give me a second chance someday. Someone who knew me before I became the man who destroyed his own marriage."

Monica closed her eyes and placed her hand on her stomach.

"Maybe someone will," she whispered.

But first, they had to survive Germany Slater's final desperate attempts at revenge.