Chapter 8 - The Unexpected Arrival
"We don't have much time, Julian counts the minutes I am out of his sight," I whispered, pulling away from Sarah's embrace.
I reached a trembling hand into the hidden lining of my silk gown, retrieving the folded manila envelope and the black USB drive.
I pressed the heavy package into Sarah's hands, feeling a massive weight physically lift off my shoulders.
"This is everything: the offshore accounts, the bribes to city officials, and the shell companies he uses to launder money," I explained rapidly.
Sarah unbuttoned her catering vest, shoving the envelope flat against her stomach and zipping the uniform back up to conceal it.
"My contact at the FBI is waiting in a black sedan three blocks down the street," Sarah told me, her voice fiercely determined.
"I will text your burner phone the exact second they have the evidence, and then you get the hell out of this house."
I nodded, gripping her hands tightly one last time before she slipped her mask back on and unlocked the door.
I waited an extra minute to wash my hands, splashing cold water on my flushed face to calm my racing heart.
When I emerged from the hallway and walked back into the crowded ballroom, Julian was immediately at my side.
"What took you so long?" he hissed, his charming public smile completely dropping the second we were isolated in the crowd.
"I was just feeling a little lightheaded, Julian, there are too many people here," I lied smoothly, avoiding his dark eyes.
He grabbed my elbow forcefully, steering me toward the center table where the most important guests were seated.
"Sit down, smile, and do not move from this chair for the rest of the evening," he commanded in a terrifyingly quiet voice.
I took my seat, placing my hands on my lap where my cheap burner phone vibrated softly against my thigh.
I anxiously waited for the screen to light up with Sarah's confirmation, counting every agonizing second that ticked by.
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Suddenly, a sharp, excruciating pain ripped through my lower abdomen, entirely different from anything I had felt before.
I gasped out loud, dropping my heavy silver fork directly onto the pristine white china plate with a loud clatter.
