Carter left the dressing room and closed the heavy door behind him.
He stood in the quiet hallway for a brief moment.
He pressed the play button on the small black audio recorder.
Arthur Vance's deep voice echoed clearly through the small speaker.
The recorded words made Carter's fists clench until his knuckles turned white.
Vance was bragging about using his wealth to hide his worst actions.
He threatened to cut off Ava's trust fund and destroy her career.
He boasted that the local police department was in his pocket.
Carter stopped the recording and slid the device into his pocket.
He remembered how excited Ava had been about her new job.
She had started working as an accountant for Vance's energy firm three months ago.
She had noticed strange missing payments in the company records right away.
When she tried to ask questions, Vance invited her to a private meeting.
That meeting had turned into a nightmare of threats and physical intimidation.
Ava had stayed silent for weeks because she was terrified for her family.
She knew Vance had enough money to hire expensive defense lawyers.
Carter walked down the long carpeted corridor toward the main ballroom.
The loud sounds of clapping and laughter leaked through the double doors.
Hundreds of wealthy guests were enjoying their expensive dinners.
Arthur Vance was sitting at the front table in a navy tuxedo.
He was smiling and sipping champagne with local politicians.
Vance looked like a man who believed he was completely untouchable.
Carter felt a sudden urge to walk up and demand answers right then.
He knew he needed to be smart and calm to get true justice.
A waitress carrying a tray of drinks walked past him in the hall.
Carter stopped her and pointed toward the private dressing room.
Lieutenant Carter: Please call security and send a female staff member to room four.
Waitress: Is someone hurt in there, sir?
Lieutenant Carter: My sister needs help, and she needs medical attention right away.
The waitress nodded quickly and ran toward the front lobby desk.
Carter checked his watch and saw five minutes remained before his speech.
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his cell phone.
He dialed the direct number for his friend Detective Miller.
Miller was an honest police investigator who worked in the city center.
Detective Miller: Carter, aren't you at that big fancy charity dinner tonight?
Lieutenant Carter: I need you to bring a squad car to the Grand Hotel immediately.
Detective Miller: What is going on over there?
Lieutenant Carter: I have evidence against Arthur Vance, and it involves severe physical assault.
There was a long pause on the phone line.
Detective Miller: Are you absolutely sure about this accusation, Carter?
Lieutenant Carter: I just saw my sister's injuries with my own eyes.
Detective Miller: I am turning my sirens on right now.
Carter hung up the phone and stepped inside the ballroom.
The bright chandeliers sparkled over hundreds of tables.
The host at the podium announced Carter's name over the microphone.
The crowd began to applaud loudly as Carter walked up the stairs.
Arthur Vance smiled broadly from his front-row table and clapped his hands.
Carter stared directly down at the wealthy businessman's face.
The moment for the planned speech had finally arrived.