Chapter 3 - The Devil's Office
The penthouse suite of the Thorne Tower did not look like a corporate office. It looked like a fortress of dark glass and polished obsidian.
Tally sat in a leather armchair, wrapped in a plush cashmere blanket, sipping hot tea. Her feet were bandaged, and she wore a clean, oversized black sweater Vance’s assistant had provided.
Across the room, Vance Thorne stood in front of a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, looking out over the rain-swept harbor. On the mahogany table between them lay the black USB drive and Davis’s handwritten ledger.
"It's worse than I thought," Vance said, turning around. "The USB contains the cryptographic keys for the offshore routing network Davis used. He didn't just launder money, Tally. He took a fifteen percent cut of every transaction. He’s been stealing from the very people who funded his empire."
"If those cartel leaders find out," Tally said, her voice shaking but analytical, "they won't just sue him. They’ll erase him."
"And they will erase anyone associated with him. Which now includes you." Vance walked over and sat opposite her. He leaned forward, placing his hands on his knees. "The men who broke into your apartment tonight were hired by Preston Hale. Davis doesn't know Preston sent them. Preston is trying to secure the ledger to blackmail Davis and take over Callaway Group entirely."
Tally let out a cold, cynical laugh. "So the snake is eating the scorpion."
"Precisely. But we are going to cut off both their heads." Vance pushed a document toward her. It was a contract. "This appoints you as the Managing Director of Horizon Capital—my primary financial vehicle. You will have full access to my capital reserves. Your job is simple: use your knowledge of Callaway's liquidity overrides to trigger a massive, artificial cash squeeze."
Tally looked at the contract. The salary listed had seven digits.
"You want me to bait them," she said.
"I want you to play the role of the desperate, broken ex-employee," Vance murmured. "You will contact Preston. You will offer to sell him the ledger for five million dollars. He will agree, but he will try to kill you at the meeting. That’s where I come in."
"And what if Preston tells Davis?"
"He won't. Preston wants the crown for himself. His greed is our greatest weapon."
Tally stared at the contract. For twelve years, she had played by the rules. She had worked late, filed accurate reports, and trusted that the system would reward her. The system had left her barefoot in a rainy alley, running for her life.
She picked up the pen.
"Under one condition, Mr. Thorne."
"Name it."
"When Callaway Group falls, I want to be the one who signs the liquidation papers. I want Davis to see my name on the foreclosure notice."
May you like
Vance’s eyes flared with a dark, appreciative amusement. "I knew I liked you, Ms. Breckenridge. Sign."
She signed.
