Chapter 26:
The snow had finally stopped falling.
For the first time in days, the morning sky over Dallas was clear.
But peace was an illusion.
Inside Eleanor Brooks’ secluded cabin, everyone gathered around the old computer.
The encrypted hard drive sat on the desk.
It was the last surviving piece of Project Winter.
Eleanor adjusted her glasses.
“If Michael designed this encryption…”
“…it won’t be easy.”
She connected the drive.
The screen flashed.
ENTER DECRYPTION KEY
Emily looked at Zach.
“The numbers.”
He nodded.
“12-24-01.”
Eleanor typed them in.
The screen went black.
For one terrifying second…
Nothing happened.
Then folders began appearing one after another.
FINANCIAL RECORDS
KING’S CIRCLE MEMBERS
PAYMENTS
PROJECT WINTER
CONFIDENTIAL
Emily let out a slow b
