BENEATH THE MARBLE FLOOR

Adrian knew they couldn't stay in the docks for long. Victor’s influence ran through every private security firm in the tri-state area. He reached out to Detective Marcus Vance, an old childhood friend and one of the few honest men left in the precinct.

They met in the shadowed back pews of an empty cathedral in Queens. The scent of frankincense and melting beeswax hung thick in the cool air.

"You're playing with fire, Adrian," Vance whispered, keeping his eyes on the stained glass altar. "Victor’s reach reaches straight into the district attorney's office. If I file this USB through standard channels, it’ll vanish from the evidence locker before midnight."

"Then don't file it as evidence," Adrian said, handing over an encrypted hard-drive copy. "File it directly with Homeland Security and maritime border enforcement. Bypass the city entirely."

Vance hesitated, his hand hovering over the drive. "What about Julian?"

"Julian is alive until Victor gets the signature on the terminal deed," Adrian said, his gaze unwavering. "Victor needs me to surrender the master deed Julian entrusted to our family trust. I’m going to give him a meeting."

"That’s suicide," Vance warned.