Chapter 4 - The Betrayal
The sight of the stuffed rabbit in Victor's hand sent a violent chill down Gideon's spine.
Norah must have dropped it in the main lobby when Gideon was carrying her to the private elevator.
Gideon quickly minimized the incriminating video files and pulled a small, loaded handgun from his desk drawer.
He tucked the cold weapon into the waistband of his trousers at the small of his back.
He walked calmly into the living room and instructed his housekeeper to take Norah into the panic room immediately.
Once the heavy steel door of the safe room clicked shut, Gideon walked to the front foyer and opened the door.
Victor Vance stood there looking immaculate in a tailored tuxedo, leaning heavily on his signature silver cane.
"You missed the gala tonight, Gideon," Victor said smoothly, his eyes scanning the luxurious entryway.
"I wasn't feeling well, Victor," Gideon replied, keeping his voice perfectly steady and devoid of emotion.
"That's a terrible shame, considering I found this dirty little toy sitting right outside your private elevator bank."
Victor held the worn rabbit up by its one good ear, a mocking smile playing on his thin lips.
"One of the housekeeper's grandchildren must have left it," Gideon lied smoothly, reaching out to take the toy.
Victor pulled his hand back slightly, his dark eyes narrowing with intense, calculating suspicion.
"Are you sure about that, Gideon?"
"I don't make a habit of keeping track of children's toys, Victor."
Victor chuckled darkly, tossing the rabbit carelessly onto a nearby glass console table.
"There is a massive leak in our logistics department, Gideon, and someone stole highly sensitive corporate data tonight."
"What kind of data?" Gideon asked, feigning casual ignorance.
"The kind of data that could completely destroy everything we have built over the last ten years," Victor hissed.
Victor took a slow, menacing step closer, his expensive cologne smelling thickly of arrogant wealth.
"If you hear anything about a missing woman or a stolen drive, you need to call me immediately."
"I'll keep my ears open," Gideon promised flatly.
Victor smiled, tapping his silver cane twice against the marble floor before turning to leave.
Gideon locked the heavy door and immediately rushed to the panic room to retrieve Norah.
"We cannot stay here tonight," Gideon told the terrified housekeeper.
He quickly packed a single duffel bag with warm clothes, cash, and the loaded handgun.
They took the emergency service elevator down to the sub-basement where Gideon kept an untraceable, armored SUV.
He strapped Norah securely into the back seat and sped out into the freezing Chicago blizzard.
They were heading toward his highly remote, off-the-grid cabin located deep in the snowy mountains.
Gideon finally felt a small sliver of relief as the city lights faded into the dark rearview mirror.
As they began the steep, treacherous climb up the winding mountain pass, a deer suddenly darted across the icy road.
Gideon slammed his foot aggressively onto the brake pedal to avoid a fatal collision.
May you like
The pedal sank completely to the floorboards with absolutely no resistance.
Gideon pumped the brakes frantically, but the heavy armored vehicle was already accelerating wildly toward the edge of the massive cliff.
