Chapter 7: After Hours
1110 Words
By ten thirty that night, Blackwood International was almost empty.
Lena Hart sat alone in her office, staring at the financial records spread across her desk.
She had told herself she would leave an hour ago.
Then she found another discrepancy.
A small one.
Only $37,500.
Most people wouldn't have noticed it.
Lena did.
The payment had been recorded as a consulting fee to a company that no longer existed. The invoice number was legitimate, but the date on the invoice came six months after the company had supposedly closed.
Someone had altered the records.
Again.
Lena rubbed her tired eyes.
She saved the document and leaned back.
The building was strangely quiet after hours.
During the day, Blackwood International was filled with phones ringing, footsteps, meetings, and conversations.
At night, it felt like a different place.
Almost empty.
Almost abandoned.
Lena finally shut down her computer.
She gathered her files and stood.
As she stepped into the hallway, the lights above her flickered.
She stopped.
"Great."
She glanced toward the elevators.
The corridor was empty.
She walked toward them, her heels echoing against the marble floor.
When she reached the elevator, she pressed the button.
Nothing happened.
She pressed it again.
Still nothing.
A message appeared on the small screen.
SERVICE INTERRUPTION — PLEASE USE EAST ELEVATOR.
Lena sighed.
The east elevator was at the opposite end of the floor.
She turned around.
That was when she heard footsteps.
Slow.
Measured.
Coming from somewhere behind her.
Lena froze.
She looked over her shoulder.
Nothing.
"Hello?"
No answer.
She tightened her grip on her files and started walking.
Then she heard it again.
Footsteps.
This time, closer.
Lena turned quickly.
A figure stood at the end of the corridor.
Her heart jumped.
Then the person stepped into the light.
Alexander Blackwood.
She exhaled.
"You scared me."
Alexander stopped.
"What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"It's my building."
"And it's after ten."
His eyes moved toward the files in her arms.
"You've been working."
"Obviously."
"You should have gone home."
"So should you."
Alexander said nothing.
Lena studied him.
He wasn't dressed like he had been earlier.
His suit jacket was gone.
His black shirt was slightly wrinkled, and the sleeves were rolled to his elbows.
He looked tired.
Not weak.
Just human.
It was the first time Lena had seen him that way.
"Why are you still here?" she asked.
"Work."
"That's vague."
"It's enough."
She smiled faintly.
"You really don't like answering questions."
"Not unnecessary ones."
"Then I'll ask necessary ones."
He raised an eyebrow.
Lena held up the file.
"I found another suspicious payment."
Alexander's expression changed.
"Where?"
She showed him.
He read the document.
"Thirty-seven thousand five hundred."
"Yes."
"Why does it matter?"
"Because the company listed on the invoice closed six months before this payment was made."
Alexander looked at the document again.
"Who authorized it?"
Lena pointed to the signature.
"That's the problem."
His eyes narrowed.
"Michael Grant."
Silence.
Lena watched him carefully.
"Again."
Alexander looked toward the dark windows.
"How many records have you found with his approval?"
"Seven."
"Seven?"
"So far."
He handed the document back.
"You need to stop working tonight."
"Why?"
"Because you're tired."
"That's not a reason."
"It is."
Lena folded her arms.
"You're avoiding something."
"I'm not."
"You always do that when Michael Grant's name comes up."
Alexander looked at her.
"You're becoming too observant."
"You hired me for that."
A faint smile touched his mouth.
"Unfortunately."
The moment passed quickly.
Lena looked around the empty floor.
"Are we the only people here?"
"Security."
"Employees?"
"No."
"Rebecca?"
"Gone."
Lena nodded.
"So it's just you and me."
Alexander's eyes held hers for a moment.
"Apparently."
Something about the silence suddenly felt different.
Lena looked away first.
She walked toward the east elevator.
Alexander followed.
"You don't have to escort me."
"I know."
"Then why are you?"
"Because I told you not to work alone."
"I wasn't working with anyone."
"Exactly."
The elevator doors opened.
They stepped inside.
Lena pressed the lobby button.
Nothing happened.
She frowned.
She pressed it again.
The doors closed.
The elevator remained still.
"What now?"
Alexander pressed his access card against the panel.
Nothing.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Lena looked at him.
"Is this normal?"
"No."
The elevator lights flickered.
Then went out.
Lena's breath caught.
Darkness filled the small space.
She heard Alexander move.
"Stay calm."
"I'm calm."
"You don't sound calm."
"I can't see."
A small light from Alexander's phone illuminated the elevator.
His face appeared in the dim glow.
For once, there was no cold expression.
He looked concerned.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
The elevator suddenly jerked.
Lena stumbled.
Alexander caught her by the waist before she could fall.
For one second, neither moved.
She could feel his hand against her side.
His eyes met hers.
The silence became heavy.
Then Lena stepped away.
"Thank you."
Alexander lowered his hand.
"You're welcome."
A few seconds later, the elevator began moving again.
When the doors opened, they were on the lobby floor.
Lena stepped out.
Alexander followed.
She turned toward him.
"Good night."
"Lena."
She stopped.
"Don't come back alone tomorrow."
She frowned.
"Why?"
He looked toward the security desk.
A guard was staring at them.
Then Alexander lowered his voice.
"Because someone has been accessing the building after hours."
Lena's expression tightened.
"Who?"
"We don't know."
"How long?"
"Three nights."
Her stomach dropped.
"Three nights?"
Alexander nodded.
"And tonight makes four."
Lena looked toward the dark corridor behind them.
For the first time, the empty building didn't feel empty.
Someone could have been watching them the entire time.
She tightened her grip on her files.
"I'll be careful."
Alexander's gaze remained on her.
"Be more than careful."
Lena walked toward the entrance.
Just before she reached the doors, she stopped.
She looked back.
Alexander was still standing beneath the lobby lights.
Watching her.
Neither said anything.
Then Lena stepped outside.
Across the glass doors, she saw Alexander turn toward the security desk.
The guard handed him a small envelope.
Alexander opened it.
His face changed instantly.
Lena couldn't hear what he said.
But she could see the photograph inside the envelope.
It was old.
And even from a distance, she recognized the man standing beside Alexander's father.
Her father.
Lena's phone suddenly vibrated.
She looked down.
An unknown number had sent her a message.
YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT WHEN HE WARNED YOU.
Her blood ran cold.
She looked back at the building.
Alexander was no longer watching her.
He was staring directly at the same photograph.
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End of Chapter 7
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