Chapter 16 - The Final Mole
Back inside the penthouse study of Meridian Freight headquarters,
I reviewed the master access logs for the past three years.
Enzo’s parting words echoed in my mind.
*‘Someone who has access to your private vault,
your master security override codes,
and your personal calendar.
’*.
There were only three people in the entire organization who possessed all three levels of clearance: Viktor,
my chief of security.
Dr.
Marcus Vance,
my personal physician and confidant.
And Elena Vance,
my executive secretary and director of operations.
Elena Vance.
Sister to Thomas Vance.
A cold shock of realization hit me like a physical blow.
For ten years,
Elena had managed my schedule,
filtered my calls,
and organized my private meetings with absolute discretion.
I had trusted her implicitly.
And she was Thomas Vance’s younger sister.
The connection was blindingly obvious in hindsight.
She didn't need to hack the system;
she already had the master keys.
She was the one who provided Enzo with my private travel itineraries,
allowing him to orchestrate the embezzlement without raising my immediate suspicion.
My study door clicked open softly.
Elena stepped into the room,
carrying a silver tray with a cup of black coffee.
“You’ve been working late again,
Mr.
Moretti,
” she said,
her voice smooth,
calm,
and perfectly rehearsed.
“I brought you some fresh coffee.
” I sat silently at my desk,
looking up at her.
She looked composed,
wearing a sharp executive blazer,
her dark hair pinned back in a neat bun.
“Thank you,
Elena,
” I said quietly,
not touching the coffee cup.
“You look troubled,
” she continued,
taking a step closer to the desk.
“Did something happen at the penitentiary with Enzo?
” “Enzo talked,
” I replied,
my gaze locked onto hers.
Elena didn't flinch,
but the muscles in her jaw tightened for a fraction of a second.
“Oh?
” she asked innocently.
“What could a disgraced criminal possibly say that would trouble you?
” “He told me there was still a mole inside Meridian Freight.
” “Someone with access to my private vault,
my security override codes,
and my personal calendar.
” Elena set the silver tray down on the desk,
her expression remaining an absolute mask of professional serenity.
“That sounds like desperate lies from a desperate man trying to sow discord,
Mr.
Moretti.
” “Perhaps,
” I said,
standing up slowly from my chair.
“Except for one detail,
Elena.
” “Enzo didn’t name you.
” “You just assumed he was talking about an insider.
” Elena’s polite smile vanished instantly.
Her hand dipped inside her blazer pocket with lightning speed.
Before she could clear the holster,
my nickel-plated firearm cleared my desk drawer and locked squarely against the center of her chest.
“Game over,
May you like
Elena,
” I whispered.
