Chapter 8 - The Gala Heist
Richard's grip on my shoulder was like a vise of solid steel.
He forcefully spun me around to face him in the middle of the crowded ballroom.
"You look terrible in a waiter's uniform, Julian," Richard sneered loudly enough for nearby guests to hear.
The surrounding billionaires and politicians stopped talking and stared at us.
"Let me go," I gritted through my teeth, clutching the silver tray tightly against my chest.
Richard smiled and snatched the special napkin directly from my trembling hands.
He unfolded it and laughed when he saw the forensic tape meant to steal his fingerprint.
"Did you honestly think I would fall for such a pathetic, amateur trick?" Richard mocked.
He crushed the tape in his fist and threw it onto the marble floor.
"You are completely out of options, Julian," he whispered menacingly.
Suddenly, the massive crystal chandelier above the ballroom flickered and went completely dark.
The entire hotel plunged into absolute, pitch-black darkness.
Panic immediately erupted as wealthy guests screamed and dropped their expensive drinks.
I felt a strong arm grab me by the collar and yank me away from Richard.
It was Elena, wearing a dark evening gown and night-vision goggles.
She shoved a small, glowing device into my hand.
"I cut the main power, run to the alley right now!" Elena shouted over the chaos.
I did not hesitate and sprinted blindly toward the kitchen exit doors.
I burst out into the rainy alleyway where Hector was waiting with the engine running.
I jumped into the passenger seat, gasping heavily for air.
"Did you get the print?" Hector asked urgently.
I held up the small, glowing device Elena had shoved into my hand.
It was not a piece of forensic tape; it was Richard Sterling's actual cell phone.
Elena had pickpocketed him perfectly in the darkness while he was distracted by my failure.
"His phone has his biometric data saved right on the home button," I realized with a massive smile.
I quickly pressed the tablet's scanner against the home button of the stolen phone.
The tablet beeped cheerfully, and the screen flashed bright green.
"Access Granted," the computer announced perfectly.
All the raw data proving the concrete was structurally flawed began downloading instantly.
Hector smiled proudly and put the car into drive.
May you like
"We have the proof, now we send it to the FBI," Hector said triumphantly.
Suddenly, a massive armored truck crashed violently into the side of our vehicle.
