Chapter 5 - THE NEGOTIATION
By dawn, Julian had given up and driven away, realizing the vault was impenetrable.
I spent the next two days inside the cabin, surrounded by Arthur’s brilliance. He had meticulously documented everything. There were bank routing numbers showing Julian and Pierce stealing from the workers' pensions. There were toxicology reports from a private doctor Arthur had secretly hired, proving heavy metal poisoning.
And then, there was the trust. Arthur had liquidated his assets and placed them into an offshore holding company. I was the sole signatory.
I called Sterling. “I have everything.”
“Good,” Sterling said. “Now, we trap them. Julian and Pierce have called an emergency gala for the company tomorrow night. They intend to publicly announce themselves as the new joint CEOs and assure the shareholders the company is stable. I want you to attend.”
“They tried to kill me, Sterling. I’m not going back to the city.”
“You are,” Sterling insisted softly. “Because you are going to give them a counter-offer. You are going to act terrified. You will tell them you want out. You will offer to trade the flash drive and the key in exchange for a five-million-dollar buyout and safe passage.”
I frowned. “Why would I give this up for five million?”
“Because,” Sterling’s voice held a dangerous smirk, “arrogant men love nothing more than watching a woman they despise beg. They will accept the deal. And when they do, they will admit their guilt.”
May you like
I looked at the red folder in my hands. The fear that had gripped me for the last four days evaporated, replaced by cold, calculated venom.
“Set it up,” I said.
