Chapter 2 - The Blackout
Claire stood on the pavement and listened to the chaos erupting inside the hotel.
Through the glass windows, she saw the massive digital display screens flashing a bright crimson red.
LICENSE AUTHORIZATION EXPIRED.
Ethan was standing on the stage, violently tapping a microphone that had gone completely dead.
Vanessa was frantically typing on her tablet, looking terrified.
Claire smiled for the first time in four months.
She walked gracefully toward the valet stand and handed the attendant her ticket.
Her phone began to vibrate violently in her purse.
It was Ethan.
She declined the call and stepped into her black sedan.
She started the engine, fully intending to drive home and pour herself a glass of expensive wine.
But as she pulled out of the hotel driveway, a massive black SUV swerved directly into her path.
Claire slammed on the brakes, throwing her forward against the seatbelt.
Tires screeched on the pavement.
Two more SUVs boxed her in from behind, completely trapping her car.
Claire locked her doors, her heart hammering against her ribs.
The tinted window of the front SUV rolled down.
A tall, heavily built man in a dark suit stepped out into the freezing rain.
It was Marcus, Ethan’s fiercely loyal head of corporate security.
Claire reached into her center console for pepper spray.
Marcus walked up to her window and tapped on the glass with the barrel of a suppressed handgun.
“Open the door, Mrs. Cole,” Marcus ordered loudly over the rain.
Claire shook her head, holding up her cell phone to show she was dialing the police.
Marcus did not aim the gun at her.
Instead, he aimed it at the front tire of her car and fired twice.
The heavy vehicle sagged instantly as the tire blew out.
Marcus holstered the weapon and shattered her driver side window with his elbow.
Glass rained over Claire’s lap as he reached in and unlocked the door.
“I am not taking you back to Ethan,” Marcus said urgently, grabbing her arm.
“I am trying to save your life.”
“Ethan didn't just cheat on you, Claire.”
“He has been using your software to launder three billion dollars for the Sinaloa cartel.”
May you like
Claire froze, the pepper spray slipping from her trembling hand.
“And since the software is registered in your name,” Marcus whispered grimly, “the cartel thinks you are the one who just stole their money.”
