Part 9
Laura realized with absolute clarity that this briefcase was Vincent’s undoing. The financial documents showed a massive, multi-million dollar money laundering operation that stretched across three states, utilizing shell companies and offshore accounts that directly linked back to his legitimate businesses. This was the leverage Caleb’s mother had been using to keep herself and her son alive.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over the entrance of the storage unit.
Laura froze, her heart stopping. She slowly turned her head toward the open doorway.
Standing there was a man she had never seen before. He was shorter than the man in the bank lobby, but far more dangerous-looking, with a jagged scar running across his jawline and a cold, dead look in his eyes. He was wearing a dark windbreaker, and his right hand was buried deep inside his pocket, resting on a heavy, unmistakable shape.
"Well, well," the man said, his voice a low, raspy growl. "Vincent said you were a smart one, Manager Bennett. But coming here alone? That's just plain stupid."
Laura slowly rose to her feet, keeping her body between the man and the open briefcase. She squeezed her phone tightly in her hand, hoping desperately that an emergency call could connect in time.
"Get out of my way," Laura said, trying to project a confidence she absolutely did not feel. "The police know exactly where I am."
The man laughed, stepping inside the small storage unit. The space felt instantly suffocating. "No, they don't. Your little friend at the bank tried to call that detective, but we have a signal jammer parked right outside her window. No calls are going in or out of that branch right now. And nobody knows you're here."
Laura felt a wave of horror wash over her. Sarah was trapped, and Caleb was completely cut off from help.
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"Vincent wants that case, and he wants you," the scar-faced man said, extending his left hand toward her. "Hand it over, and maybe you'll live long enough to see the railyard. Move."
Laura looked down at the heavy black briefcase. She looked back at the man. In a split-second decision born of sheer survival instinct, she grabbed the heavy tactical binder from the case and slammed it with all her might directly into the man's face.
