Chapter 2 - Ghosts on the 14th Floor
The 14th floor of the Grand Sovereign Hotel did not exist on the elevator panel. To access it, one needed an encrypted keycard that only three people in the building possessed: Julian, the Head of Security, and the owner of the hotel chain, Lord Arthur Sterling—Julian’s father.
Ethan led the audit team upstairs, flanked by federal agents who had arrived at the front entrance just minutes after his phone call. The bright, cheerful ambiance of the luxury hotel vanished the moment the concealed elevator doors opened onto Floor 14.
The air was heavy, smelling faintly of ozone and expensive perfume. Unlike the lavish, warm gold lighting below, this corridor was bathed in dim, cold LED lights. Electronic keypad locks guarded every single door.
"Explain this, Julian," Ethan demanded, stopping in front of Suite 1404.
Julian wiped sweat from his collar. "It’s... it’s a private executive retreat. For high-net-worth individuals who require absolute privacy. Confidential business meetings, international diplomats..."
"Then why isn't it registered on the city’s emergency exit blueprints?" Ethan countered. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black USB drive—the piece of evidence provided by the anonymous whistleblower. He slotted it into the electronic bypass port on Suite 1404's door.
BEEP. BEEP. CLICK.
The heavy mahogany door unlocked and swung open slowly.
Inside, the suite was massive, but it didn't look like a hotel room. It looked like an command center. Bank after bank of computer monitors lined the walls, displaying live video feeds. But they weren't feeds of the street or the lobby—they were secret, hidden-camera feeds from inside the hotel's most expensive VIP suites on floors 10 through 12.
Ethan walked up to the desk. "You're spying on your own guests. Blackmail?"
Julian dropped to his knees, his voice cracking. "I didn't set this up! I swear on my life! This floor is managed directly by the corporate board! My father... Lord Arthur... he runs the 14th floor!"
Ethan leaned over the primary monitor. On the central screen, a high-definition camera was zoomed in on a heavy iron safe located inside the hotel's master vault deep below the basement.
Printed on the safe was a emblem Ethan recognized immediately: the seal of his own agency, the IHSA.
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"Why is my agency's seal on your basement vault, Julian?" Ethan asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
Julian looked up, his eyes wide with absolute terror. "Because... because you didn't come here to inspect us tonight, Ethan. They brought you here."
