What followed wasn't a battle—it was a methodical federal operation to arrest criminals who'd run out of options. Curtis's mercenaries, faced with prison sentences for attacking federal agents, surrendered without resistance when they realized their employer couldn't pay them and their escape routes were gone.
"Larry Curtis, you're under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, defense contract fraud, and assault on federal agents," Agent Bates announced over the radio as her teams moved in.
Through the communication intercepts, Yvette heard Curtis's final transmission: "This was supposed to be a simple extraction. How did an accountant destroy my entire operation?"
"Because this accountant spent fifteen years learning how to dismantle people like you," she said to her screens, watching federal agents lead the handcuffed figure of Larry Curtis away from the smoking remains of his own trap.
Vincent appeared behind her chair, his hands settling on her shoulders as he studied the displays showing twelve federal agents arresting one of the most wanted corporate criminals in American history.
"You didn't just solve this case," he said with genuine awe. "You revolutionized how these investigations work. Financial warfare, real-time evidence distribution, turning their own weapons against them—that was incredible."
"We did it," Yvette corrected, looking up at him. "Your tactical knowledge gave me the context to understand their operational structure. Your protection gave me the time to build these capabilities."
"You turned their desperation into their downfall."
Through her monitors, she watched federal agents secure the perimeter and begin processing the crime scene. Curtis's expensive suit was torn and streaked with soot from his own incendiary devices. The man who'd valued profit margins over Marines' lives was finally facing justice.
"Agent Bates," Yvette called. "What's the status on the other RareCore teams?"
"Arrests are being made simultaneously across the city," Bates reported. "Your evidence distribution triggered coordinated federal action. RareCore's executives, the senators taking their money, even their shell company operators—everyone's being rounded up."
"And the families of the soldiers who died because of defective equipment?"
"They'll finally get answers," Vincent said, his voice carrying deep satisfaction. "And the people responsible will spend the rest of their lives in federal prison."
Yvette felt tears sting her eyes as the full weight of what they'd accomplished settled over her. For years, she'd investigated financial crimes after the damage was done. Tonight, she'd stopped a criminal conspiracy while it was still active, prevented more deaths, and ensured that justice would finally be served.
"The DCAA teams?" she asked.
"Safe," Agent Bates confirmed. "Local police secured the building. Your colleagues were evacuated without casualties."
"Is it really over?"
Vincent's hands tightened on her shoulders. "Curtis is in custody, his entire network is arrested, and the evidence is already triggering investigations in twelve countries. RareCore's assets are frozen, their congressional enablers are facing ethics committees, and the story is breaking on every news network in the world."
Through her screens, Yvette could see the aftermath of her digital warfare campaign. Curtis's financial empire was collapsing in real-time as seizure orders executed across international banking networks. His communication systems were still under her control, providing federal agents with detailed intelligence about every aspect of his criminal operations.
"You know what the beautiful part is?" she said, watching the data streams flow across her monitors.
"What's that?"
"He thought he was fighting an accountant. Someone he could intimidate or eliminate with conventional tactics." She smiled with fierce satisfaction. "He never understood that he was fighting someone who'd spent fifteen years learning how to destroy people who use money and power to hurt others."
"And he definitely didn't understand that you had backup."
Yvette turned in her chair to face him fully. Vincent stood behind her like a guardian, his tactical gear still strapped on, his weapon ready despite the fact that the immediate danger had passed.
"You were incredible tonight," she said. "The way you coordinated the defense, protected the federal agents, kept me safe while I worked. You're exactly the partner I needed."
"You made it easy. Watching you dismantle their entire operation from a basement workstation while they were trying to burn us alive..." He shook his head in amazement. "You're the most formidable person I've ever met."
Agent Bates approached their position, tablet in hand. "You might want to see this. The story is breaking everywhere."
The screens showed international headlines streaming across news networks: "Billion-Dollar Defense Fraud Exposed," "Corporate Conspiracy Led to Thousands of Military Deaths," "Forensic Accountant Brings Down Criminal Empire."
"We're famous," Vincent said.
"We're effective," Yvette corrected, though she couldn't suppress a smile. "And we make a hell of a team."
