Chapter 7 - The Hidden Truth
The vault was cool and smelled of cedar. Elena walked past rows of wrapped canvases until she found the small 19th-century landscape. She lifted it off the rack and laid it flat on the inspection table under the bright halogen lights.
"Where is it?" Gabriel asked, standing close beside her.
Elena grabbed a specialized scalpel from her toolkit. "My father knew I restore canvases by separating the backing board from the antique frame."
With expert precision, despite her shaking hands, Elena sliced through the old adhesive. She peeled the wooden backing away. There, taped to the inside of the frame, was a sleek, black USB drive and a handwritten note.
Elena picked up the note. Her father’s familiar, elegant script made a fresh tear slip down her cheek.
“My dearest Elena. If you are reading this, I am gone. The man you are marrying is not who he claims to be. The files on this drive contain the proof of Julian’s offshore laundering and his ties to the Moretti cartel. I could not break your heart without absolute proof. I love you. Trust no one.”
She handed the note to Gabriel. He read it in silence, his jaw tightening.
"He was trying to protect you," Gabriel said softly.
Suddenly, Silas’s voice crackled through Gabriel’s earpiece. "Boss. We have a problem. Two black SUVs just pulled up out front. It’s Julian’s men. They tripped a silent alarm we couldn't see."
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Gabriel immediately drew his weapon. "We’re out of time. Grab the drive."
Elena snatched the USB drive, shoving it into her pocket. Gabriel grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the freight elevator. "Stay behind me. No matter what happens, do not let go of my hand."
