Chapter 11 - The Return to the Tower
The grand obsidian lobby of the Sterling Tower was completely deserted at two in the morning, save for the rhythmic patter of rain against the soaring glass facade. The elevator doors slid open silently, disgorging three figures into the dimly lit penthouse foyer.
Julian stepped out first, his hand resting on the heavy frame of a suppressed pistol Agent Miller had managed to smuggle to him. Behind him walked Victoria, her posture rigid and resolute in her oversized windbreaker, followed closely by Clara, who insisted on coming despite her lingering injuries to protect Maya and the baby, who were safely secured back at the federal safe house.
"The private study is down the east corridor," Victoria whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the central air conditioning. "The retinal scanner on the office door requires my father's biometrics—or mine, if the override code hasn't been changed since the merger."
Julian checked the corridor ahead, his muscles coiled like a spring. "Lead the way. But if anyone so much as breathes near us, you get behind me immediately."
They moved with practiced stealth down the plush carpeted hallway, the walls lined with expensive modern art that suddenly felt less like culture and more like stolen loot. As they reached the heavy mahogany double doors of Arthur’s private study, Victoria stepped up to the brass keypad mounted on the wood paneling.
She punched in a long, complicated numerical sequence, then leaned forward, pressing her right eye against the optical glass scanner.
For a agonizing three seconds, the LED indicator flashed a harsh, angry red.
Access Denied.
Victoria cursed under her breath, punching the sequence a second time. "He changed the security protocols. The override is locked out."
From the far end of the hallway, the sharp click of a heavy security door unlatching echoed through the corridor.
"We've got company," Clara hissed, grabbing Julian's arm. "Footsteps coming up the private stairwell."
Julian didn't hesitate. He holstered his sidearm, grabbed a heavy brass fire extinguisher from its wall bracket, and braced himself against the corner just as two of Arthur’s private guards rounded the corner.
The first guard raised his weapon, but Julian swung the heavy steel cylinder with brute force, catching the man squarely across the chest. The guard folded instantly, crashing hard onto the plush carpet.
The second guard lunged forward, tackling Julian to the floor. They grappled desperately, rolling across the hallway as the guard reached for his tactical knife.
Victoria didn't scream or panic. She reached down, picked up the heavy brass award statue the fallen guard had dropped, and smashed it over the back of the second man's head with a dull, sickening thud. The guard went instantly limp.
Julian scrambled to his feet, breathing heavily, wiping a streak of blood from his forehead. He looked down at Victoria, who stood holding the bloody statue with wide, steady eyes.
"Are you okay?" Julian asked, his voice breathless.
"Never better," Victoria said, dropping the statue. She turned back to the keypad, pulled a small electronic bypass tool Agent Miller had given her from her pocket, and jammed it into the data port beneath the scanner.
With a sharp beep, the green light flashed, and the heavy mahogany doors swung silently inward.
Julian pushed past her, stepping into the dark, cavernous study. He flicked on his tactical flashlight, sweeping the beam across the room until it locked onto the large wall safe hidden behind a portrait of Arthur Sterling himself.
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"We found it," Julian called out softly. "Now let's open this vault before the rest of the security detail figures out what happened."
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