Chapter 5 - The Midnight Heist
Julian’s home office was a fortress located on the ground floor, protected by a state-of-the-art biometric lock.
He considered his study his absolute domain, completely off-limits to the cleaning staff and especially to me.
However, during our three years of marriage, I had noticed a tiny, arrogant flaw in his grand security system.
Julian was a creature of intense habit, and he frequently left the office door slightly ajar when he went to the kitchen for his midnight espresso.
I had exactly a four-minute window to slip in, crack the physical wall safe, and get out before he returned.
The safe was an older analog model hidden behind a massive oil painting, something he trusted more than digital security.
I had seen him open it once from the reflection of a polished silver tray, committing the combination to my memory like a prayer.
On a rainy Tuesday night, I waited until the digital clock on my bedside table flashed exactly 2:00 AM.
I slipped out from under the heavy down comforter, making sure not to disturb the man sleeping beside me.
I crept down the grand sweeping staircase, my bare feet completely silent on the cold marble steps.
Just as I predicted, the study door was cracked open, and a soft yellow light spilled out into the dark hallway.
I could hear the faint whir of the espresso machine coming from the distant kitchen, meaning my time was already running out.
I slipped into the study, moving directly to the heavy oil painting, and carefully swung it open to reveal the steel dial.
My hands shook violently as I spun the cold metal dial: thirty-two right, fourteen left, eighteen right.
The heavy mechanism clicked satisfyingly, and I pulled the heavy steel door open to reveal stacks of cash and thick manila folders.
I grabbed the thickest folder labeled "Offshore Shell Accounts" and a black USB drive resting right on top of it.
I quietly closed the safe, repositioned the painting, and clutched the stolen evidence tightly against my chest.
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I made it back upstairs and into bed exactly ten seconds before Julian walked back into the bedroom, sipping his fresh coffee.
My heart felt like it was going to burst through my ribs, but the evidence was safely hidden under my mattress.
