Part 6
The data poured in like a digital avalanche.
Lines of code, user access histories, and override logs illuminated Marcus’s face in the dark room.
He pulled up a chair near the window, far enough from Zoe so the glow wouldn't disturb her.
As his fingers flew across the screen, a dark reality began to take shape.
It wasn't just Derek.
Derek was just a symptom of a much larger, much deeper infection within this specific hotel branch.
Marcus discovered a hidden communication channel within the local employee database.
It was a private messaging forum used by the front-of-house staff, entirely unauthorized by corporate headquarters.
He bypassed the encryption in seconds.
What he found made his jaw clench so hard his teeth ached.
The staff had a scoring system.
They had nicknames for certain types of guests.
They actively shared tips on how to manipulate the reservation software to keep certain rooms open for "high-profile" or "desirable" clientele, while turning away others.
They used code words to flag people based on their appearance, their clothing, or the car they arrived in.
And the most disturbing part?
The night manager, Arthur Vance, had logged into this private forum multiple times.
He hadn't participated directly, but he had viewed the threads.
He knew.
He had looked the other way to keep his staff happy and to maintain a specific, curated "vibe" in the lobby.
Marcus closed the application, his hands remarkably steady despite the fury vibrating through his veins.
He looked over at Zoe, who was sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the digital rot her father was uncovering.
Marcus stood up, slipping his phone into his pocket.
The time for quiet observation was officially over.
He walked over to the suite’s landline phone and dialed a direct, secure number.
It rang exactly twice before a tired, sharp voice answered on the other end.
“This is Julian Sterling. This line is for emergencies only.”
Julian was the Global Chief Operating Officer of the entire hotel chain, based in New York.
May you like
“Julian,” Marcus said, his voice cutting through the line like a razor.
“Wake up. You need to catch the first flight out of JFK.”
