Chapter 8 - THE ENEMY INSIDE THE HOUSE
The man who died in Emily’s apartment had no identification.
No fingerprints in any database.
No phone.
No wallet.
No history.
He had entered the building using a security code.
A code known to only six people.
Adrian's inner circle.
Emily sat in the Blackwell security room while Adrian stood before a wall of screens.
Six faces appeared.
His security chief.
His attorney.
His financial director.
His oldest friend.
His driver.
And Adrian himself.
“Someone inside gave him access,” Adrian said.
Emily looked at the screens.
“Could the code have been stolen?”
“Yes.”
“But you think it was someone here.”
“Yes.”
Adrian's security chief, Marcus, stepped forward.
“You think one of us betrayed you?”
“I think someone did.”
Marcus's face hardened.
“I’ve been with you fifteen years.”
“That doesn’t make you innocent.”
The room became silent.
Emily watched them.
She noticed something.
The financial director, Thomas Vale, was sweating.
Not much.
But enough.
She looked at him.
Adrian noticed.
“What?”
Emily pointed.
“Ask him.”
Thomas went pale.
“Ask me what?”
“Where were you last night?”
“Home.”
“Who can confirm that?”
“My wife.”
“Anyone else?”
Thomas looked at Adrian.
“Why are you doing this?”
Emily answered.
“Because you keep looking at the door.”
Thomas froze.
Adrian turned toward him.
“Search his office.”
Thomas stepped back.
“You can’t.”
Adrian's eyes became cold.
“Why not?”
Thomas said nothing.
Security removed him from the room.
Two hours later, they found a hidden phone inside his desk.
The phone contained messages from Daniel.
Emily stared at the screen.
SHE HASN’T TALKED YET.
Another message:
BLACKWELL DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT THE SECOND FILE.
Emily looked at Adrian.
“Second file?”
Adrian took the phone.
His expression darkened.
Thomas had disappeared.
The entire building went into lockdown.
But Emily noticed something else.
The messages were too obvious.
Too easy.
She looked at Adrian.
“This is wrong.”
He stared at her.
“What?”
“Thomas.”
“He was working with Daniel.”
“Maybe.”
“He had the phone.”
“Maybe.”
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
“You think he was framed?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because whoever did this wanted you to find the phone.”
Adrian said nothing.
Emily continued.
“The messages are written to be discovered.”
“You’re saying the traitor planted evidence against Thomas?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To hide the real traitor.”
Adrian stared at the screens.
Then turned to Marcus.
“Who knew we were investigating Thomas?”
Marcus hesitated.
“Everyone in this room.”
Adrian's gaze moved across the room.
Everyone except Emily.
A quiet alarm sounded.
The screens flickered.
Then went black.
The entire building lost power.
Emily's heart began to pound.
Adrian moved toward her.
“Stay close.”
Emergency lights came on.
Red.
Dark.
The building suddenly felt like a prison.
A gunshot echoed from somewhere below.
Then another.
Security shouted.
Adrian pulled Emily behind a concrete support column.
“Who is attacking us?”
“We don’t know.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“Survive.”
She looked at him.
“That’s not a plan.”
“It has worked so far.”
Footsteps approached.
Adrian raised his weapon.
A figure appeared.
Marcus.
“Adrian!”
Adrian lowered his gun slightly.
“What happened?”
“Three men entered through the underground garage.”
“Where?”
“East corridor.”
“Get Emily out.”
Marcus looked at Emily.
Then at Adrian.
“Of course.”
Something about his expression made Emily uneasy.
She could not explain why.
They moved through the dark hallway.
Marcus walked ahead.
Adrian behind Emily.
Suddenly, Marcus stopped.
Emily noticed the movement.
He reached beneath his jacket.
Emily reacted before thinking.
“Adrian!”
Adrian moved.
A gunshot exploded.
Marcus fired.
Adrian pushed Emily aside.
The bullet struck the wall.
Adrian fired back.
Marcus disappeared around the corner.
Emily stared.
“Marcus?”
Adrian's face was cold.
“Get down.”
They moved.
Minutes later, the building was secure.
Marcus was gone.
The attack had been a distraction.
He had escaped through a hidden exit.
Emily stared at Adrian.
“Your oldest friend.”
“Yes.”
“He was the traitor.”
“Maybe.”
She looked at him.
“Again?”
Adrian glanced toward the dark corridor.
“I don’t trust coincidences.”
Emily frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Adrian looked at her.
“The person who betrayed me wanted me to believe it was Marcus.”
Emily felt a chill.
“Then who?”
Adrian's phone rang.
He answered.
The voice on the other end spoke.
Adrian's face changed.
He looked at Emily.
Then said:
“Bring him in alive.”
Emily whispered, “Who?”
May you like
Adrian ended the call.
“Daniel.”
