Part 41
The screen flashed green, and a massive directory of encrypted files began to unpack themselves before our eyes.
Bank routing numbers, corporate dummy accounts, and recorded conversations between Julian and corrupt officials filled the monitor.
It was a complete, undeniable map of a criminal empire, laid bare in the quiet comfort of a forgotten fishing cabin.
"We have them, Mom," Derek whispered, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and absolute relief.
"This is enough to put Julian and his entire board of directors away for the rest of their natural lives."
Suddenly, the laptop's wireless connection icon flickered, and a single, unread email appeared in the empty inbox.
It had been sent just two minutes ago, directed specifically to the IP address of the newly opened drive.
With a trembling finger, Derek clicked on the message, revealing a short, terrifying video file.
The video showed our beautiful garden, the one we had spent all afternoon tending to, lit by the flames of a massive fire.
Our new house, our sanctuary, our dream of a quiet life—it was being consumed by a roaring, violent inferno.
May you like
Julian's face appeared in the frame, holding the camera, his eyes cold and completely devoid of humanity.
"You took my ledger, Sarah," Julian said to the camera. "So I took your home. Let's see who breaks first."
