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The color drains further from his face, beads of sweat gathering at his temples. Finally, he exhales a shaky breath. “I wasn’t personally involved. Rhodes insisted on absolute secrecy. He used one of our junior associates, Trevor Merewood, to handle most of his transactions.”
“Where’s Merewood now?” I demand.
“Gone,” Vaughn admits reluctantly, shaking his head. “He resigned days ago. Cleared out his desk without explanation.”
Frustration boils hot in my veins. Days ago is when Mia was taken. How fucking convenient.
“We’ll need access to his records. Every file, every transaction involving Rhodes—every-fucking-thing,” I say.
Vaughn hesitates, voice uncertain as he says, “This isn’t standard protocol?—”
Asher leans forward, tone dripping with icy threat. “Let’s make this really fucking easy for you. You either cooperate fully, or tomorrow morning, your firm’s name will be splashed all over the news, permanently tied to kidnapping, extortion, and whatever else we uncover. The FBI is involved, and either you help us or I will ruin you. And trust me when I say, I’ll sleep incredibly at night, knowing this company no longer exists.”
It’s not a threat; it’s a promise.
Vaughn freezes, eyes wide with fear. After a brief staredown with Asher, he finally nods stiffly. “Follow me.”
He leads us swiftly from the office, down a quiet hallway, lined with closed doors, finally stopping at an empty office. Quickly unlocking the door, he flips on the lights, illuminating rows of filing cabinets and a lone desktop computer.
“Everything Merewood left behind is here,” he says. “Take whatever you need, but I never saw you here.”
“Agreed,” Nick replies smoothly, moving swiftly to the computer. “This will stay strictly confidential. I appreciate your cooperation, Mr. Vaughn.”
“Don’t ever let me catch you wrapped up in this type of bullshit again,” Asher warns, staring at him before he leaves us in the office.
Nick immediately sits down, placing a USB drive into the computer. He works so fast as he downloads every file from their database, clicking between windows so quickly that I can’t keep up. I look between him and Asher.
“You’re hackers. Both of you,” I whisper.
“You didn’t see shit, Brod,” Nick warns.
Asher is amused by the whole operation as he oversees what Nick does. My pulse races with fresh urgency as I flip through files in the cabinets, desperate for any hint that could lead us directly to Micah’s safe house. Every second counts now. We’re running out of time.
An hour passes in tense, heavy silence, broken only by the quiet hum of the computer and the rustle of paper as Asher helps me sift through countless documents. My eyes blur from scanning over financial records, transaction statements, and obscure, coded notes.
“Anything?” I snap, glancing toward Nick, who’s still typing away on the computer.
He rubs a hand over his jaw, his usual smirk replaced by concentration. “Micah’s actually really good at covering his tracks. But Merewood got sloppy near the end. I’ve got something here about an off-book property purchase upstate. Cash transaction. Remote area. I think this is it.”
I move toward him, leaning over his shoulder, scanning the transaction records glowing on the screen. My pulse kicks as I go to the Maps app and look at the house from above. “This is it.”
Asher steps beside me, eyes narrowing. “He’s repeating his patterns. The place must be isolated enough that he thinks no one will find him.”
Adrenaline rushes through me. “We need to move. Now. This might be our only shot. If he’s got Mia there, he’ll be on high alert. We hit him fast and hard,” I say, my voice clipped. “No warning.”
Asher nods, determination in his eyes. “I’ll coordinate with the authorities. One misstep, and Rhodes could panic. He’s desperate now, which makes him more dangerous.”
“Already on it,” Nick replies, grabbing his phone and stepping toward the doorway to make the call.
Asher watches him briefly, then turns back to me, his expression grim but resolute. “You ready for this?”
“More than ready.” My voice is edged with anger and urgency. “He’s not hurting anyone else.”
Asher grips my shoulder, silently conveying his solidarity. “We end it tonight, Brody.”
I hold his gaze, grateful for the unspoken understanding. “Tonight.”
Nick returns quickly, pocketing his phone. “They’ve got a team mobilizing that will meet us near the property once we confirm Mia is there. This stays quiet until we have Mia. If we show up and the house is empty, we keep searching. There is no room for crying wolf in this situation. We need solid evidence, or Micah will continue to escape. He has too many people in his pockets.”