Chapter 9 - The Broken Cipher
Arthur turned sharply. The four marshals standing behind him drew their weapons, pointing the barrels directly at Arthur’s head.
"Clara..." Arthur breathed, realization striking him like a hammer. "You weren't just a informant. You're Victor's chief of operations."
"I've been monitoring your movements for five years, Mr. Vance," Clara said, her voice dropping into the same flat, cold register she had used at the restaurant counter. "We knew Julianna would tell her son to find you. We allowed the boy to lead you right to the Rosewood Ledger."
Two guards stepped forward, violently wrenching Arthur’s arms behind his back and securing his wrists with steel handcuffs.
"Where are the children?" Victor demanded, standing up from his chair and walking over to Arthur.
Arthur spat on the carpet at Victor’s feet. "Go to hell."
Clara pulled out a tablet screen, tapping the glass. A live camera feed appeared, showing the interior of the underground vault below Wall Street. Standing inside the safe room were Leo and Maya, surrounded by four tactical team members who had cut through the heavy blast door with thermal lances.
May you like
"No..." Arthur gasped, his strength finally deserting him. "No!"
"We have both pieces now," Victor said softly, patting Arthur’s cheek with faux affection. "The mother, the boy, and the girl. The Rosewood Cipher will be fully synthesized by midnight. And you, Arthur, will take the fall for the entire operation."
