EMMA
The next evening I was parked in a rented car two blocks from the Harrington Group’s private conference venue, laptop open on my knees, heart in my throat. The board meeting had started twenty minutes ago. Marcus was inside. Viktor was still in his hospital bed across town, supposedly too weak to attend in person, but I knew he’d be on video link.
My phone buzzed—Marcus.
“I’m in the ante-room,” he whispered. “Viktor just called in. He looks like s**t but he’s barking orders. I have maybe forty seconds before he notices I stepped out.”
“Do it now,” I said, voice tight. “Plant, trigger the breach alert, get out.”
I heard him moving. Then a soft beep as the tablet connected.
“Done,” he breathed. “Files are forwarding. I’m walking away.”
“Good, You did well Marcus” I said feeling r
