Chapter Ten

MICHAEL’S POV

The intercom was switched off. The stillness was absorbed in the buzz of the air conditioning. The red light on the control panel remained locked. I checked my phone. No bars. I checked the door. Reinforced steel. I tried the hinges. Solid. I unzipped my jacket and threw it over the security camera in the corner. Don Basano would not have a clean feed of what we did next, had he been watching.

I turned to Anna. The ledger was still in her hands. Her knuckles were white. Her breathing was rapid, yet steady. She wasn’t panicking. She was calculating.

Lay the file aside, I said. We are not in this place.

She placed it on the metallic table. He is keeping an eye on the building. When he closes the vents we do not get air.

He is bluffing, he wants us alive until he can figure out what we have just opened. Or he is buying time to get the money away. I went to the control panel, removed the cover plate using my keys and uncovered the wiring. I didn't need to hack it. All I had to do was short the lock relay. I traced the blue and red lines, and twisted them using my multi-tool. Sparks popped. Nothing. The panel remained red.

The intercom crackled again. The voice of Don Basano broke the silence. You want a signature that is not there. Go away, Alonzo. Before I put the ventilation on.

I ignored it. I opened the vent cover. Bolted shut. I looked at Anna. The name of your mother is on that ledger. Elena Alonzo. She did not merely see it. She signed the split.

Anna stepped closer. Your mother has signed it, Michael. Date is the same. Routing is the same. She did not simply know about the payout. She assisted in the transfer.

I didn't answer. I repressed the suspicion. I drew my attention to the door. I kicked the bottom frame. It didn't move. I checked my watch. It was twelve minutes since the signal had fallen. The dead zone should have attracted the attention of Matt. Otherwise, I was doing this on my own.

The panel beeped. Green light. The lock banged open.

It was overridden by somebody.

I seized Anna by the arm, and dragged her behind me, and went into the hallway.

Adrian was ten feet distant. Two men behind him. Palms close to their jackets. Not drawn yet. Not needed.

Adrian smiled. Long time coming.

I didn't blink. "You opened the lock."

I opened it so we could speak. Adrian stepped forward. You have a file in your possession that is not your own. You give it to me and I release you.

"It's my file." I maintained a low tone of voice. It is the business of my father. It is the name of my mother on it. I am not giving it to you.

Adrian's smile dropped. Your mother is no big deal, you think that your father was killed by Basano? You're playing the wrong game."

Anna got out behind me. Whatever do you mean?

Adrian didn't look at her. His eyes were on me. Check your phone, Alonzo. Still have signal.

I drew my phone out. One bar. An unknown number text.

Transfer complete. Accounts transferred to Angelo Holdings. Ask Michael to move aside. - M.A.

I clenched my fist on the screen. M.A. My mother.

Adrian tapped his phone. She has been transporting the capital of your father months. And you were playing revenge and following the daughter of Basano, when she was financing my growth. You are not the weapon of this game. You are the distraction.

My heartbeat remained steady. I stepped forward. You believe a text alters what is in this room?

I believe you were sold by your mother. Adrian made a signal to his men. They lifted up their arms. "Drop the file. Last warning."

I didn't drop it. I changed my position, about to move. My back was caught by Anna, and I was held up.

Before Adrian could give the order, the fire alarm blasted. Flashing strobe lights flashed over the concrete. The sprinkler system was activated. The hallway was filled with cold water, and our clothes were soaked in a few seconds.

I caught hold of Anna by the wrist and dragged her to the stair well. Adrian's men fired. The shots were far, eating holes into the drywall.

We hit the concrete stairs. I grabbed them three each. Anna kept pace. No hesitation. Just movement.

We arrived at the loading dock of the first floor. Rain hammered the pavement. It was a chilly night.

The black SUV of Matt arrived, screeching tires on the wet asphalt. The rear door was opened. Matt leaned out. "Get in. Now."

We plunged into the car. Matt banged the door and kicked it. The SUV tore out of the parking lot, tires spraying.

I sat up, heart aching, and the water was dripping down my sleeves. I peeped at the ledger on the bench. Then at my phone. The text was still on the screen.

Anna brushed off the rain. Your mother financed Adrian?

I didn't answer right away. I looked through the window at the streetlights as they passed. She never financed him. She has been running him. And she just kicked me off the board.

Matt glanced in the rearview mirror. "Where to?"

My voice was quiet. To the house. I must see her.

The hand of Anna was on the ledger. We are walking into her trap, should we go there.

"I know." I turned to her. I kept my eyes fixed on her. But when she is the one who is drawing the strings, I am not letting her write the ledger over without me.

Matt slammed the brakes. Tires stuck on the wet road.

In front of us a roadblock. Three black sedans. Men stepping out. Rifles raised.

Matt threw into reverse. "Michael. They're not Angelo's men."

I bent forward, examining the plates on the lead car. Basano holdings insignia.

Don Basano didn't send Adrian. He sent his own cleanup crew.

The headlights of the lead car flashed twice. A shot rang out. Glass was smashed close by my window.

Matt swerved hard. "Hold on!"

The SUV leaped over the curb screaming. I dragged Anna in the foot well and threw my body over her as another shot tore a hole in the back quarter panel.

Matt struggled with the wheel, in the direction of the service road. The SUV crashed through a chain-link fence, sparks flying off the undercarriage.

We turned out into the open street. Tires gripped. Matt floored it again.

I lifted my head. Checked Anna. Her breath came quick and her hands were still. She had the ledger in her bosom, like armor.

I peeped at the broken back window. A bullet hole. Two inches from where my head was.

My cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out. Screen cracked. But readable.

New message. From my mother.

You ought to have kept out of the box, Michael. Now they're coming for both of you.

I didn't reply. I simply grabbed the hand of Anna. We are not stopping, until I find answers.

The city melted away. Rain on glass. Sirens wailing in the distance.

We were fleeing with Adrian. Fleece my mother. Eloping with her father.

But the ledger was yet in the hands of Anna.

And I wasn't giving it back.