Chapter 5 - The Hidden Ledger
Julian's study smelled of expensive scotch and fine leather.
I pulled a small flashlight from my pocket and moved quickly toward the massive mahogany desk.
"Clara, I'm at the desk," I whispered into the earpiece.
"Underneath the middle drawer, toward the back," she instructed, her voice trembling slightly with anxiety.
"There's a false bottom held up by magnetic strips."
I crawled under the desk, sweeping my hand along the smooth wood.
My fingers brushed against a faint ridge.
I pressed hard, and the wooden panel dropped into my hand with a soft thud.
Inside the hidden compartment was a small, black USB flash drive.
"I have it," I breathed, slipping the drive into my pocket.
"Get out of there, Mom. Now!" Clara urged.
I stood up and turned toward the door, but a sudden noise froze the blood in my veins.
Footsteps were echoing down the hallway, heading straight for the study.
"Marcus, someone is coming," I hissed.
"It's Victoria," Marcus replied, his voice tense. "She left the ballroom a minute ago. Hide!"
There was nowhere to go.
The study was sparse, and the heavy drapes were tied back.
I slid behind the tall, leather wingback chair in the corner just as the door handle turned.
Victoria walked in, holding a cell phone to her ear.
"I don't care what the bank says, wire the money to the offshore account tonight," she snapped angrily.
"If Julian's little wife runs her mouth before we crush her, I want that money hidden."
She walked over to the desk, completely unaware that I was standing less than five feet away in the shadows.
I held my breath, praying she wouldn't look down and see my black catering shoes.
May you like
After what felt like an eternity, she slammed her phone down and stormed out of the room.
I let out a shaky exhale and bolted for the service stairs, the flash drive burning a hole in my pocket.
