THE 5:00 AM EXECUTION

Chapter 2: The 5:00 AM Execution

The sound of a boot hitting her door was all Avery needed to wake up. She quickly grabbed her bag making sure the cream-colored envelope was still inside. Her heart was beating fast like it was going to jump out of her chest. She had to get out of there in three minutes. The marshals would catch her.

It was 4:12 AM. The world outside was dark and gloomy. The air smelled like wet streets and rain. Avery carried her suitcase down the metal stairs of her apartment in Brooklyn. She was basically homeless now. All she had was a card that might be worth a lot of money. She had to get to Thorne Industries in forty-eight minutes.

If she failed she would lose everything. Sterling had a condition that she had to make it on her own in the business world. If she missed her day she would be in big trouble.

At 4:58 AM Avery walked into Thorne Industries. Her hair was wet. She had pulled it back into a neat bun. She looked calm and professional. Inside she was a mess.

She walked into the suite just as the clock struck 5:00 AM.

Silas Thorne was already there sitting at his desk with three computer screens in front of him. He didn't look up. His voice was sharp and clear.

"Get me coffee black with two sugars.. Make sure the beans are from a good place, not the cheap stuff they usually serve." He was typing away on his keyboard. ". I need the papers on the Sterling deal. They're in the vault. If I don't have them by 5:30 you're fired."

Avery felt a surge of anger. The Sterling deal was about her fathers company and Silas was talking about it like it was nothing.

"I'll get it for you Mr. Thorne " she said, trying to sound calm.

She moved quickly and quietly like a soldier. She found the coffee beans and made the coffee just right. Then she dug into the computer files. Found the papers Silas needed.

She didn't just find the papers. She also found some mistakes in them.

At 5:29 AM she put the coffee and the papers on Silas's desk. He picked up the coffee. Took a slow sip. His eyes. He looked at her.

"You didn't get the coffee from the kitchen " he said, his voice a little lower.

"I didn't have time to wait, " Avery replied. "You said you wanted it by 5:30."

He put the coffee down. Open the folder. The room was quiet for a moment. Avery could feel her heart beating in her throat. She had found some mistakes in the papers that would cost Silas a lot of money if he went through with the deal.

Silas stopped reading. I looked up at her. "Who told you to check these numbers Ms. Cole?"

"I'm your assistant, " Avery said, looking up at him. "My job is to help you.. Those numbers are wrong. If you buy Sterling you'll be in trouble."

The mention of his uncle's name made Silas's face change from cold to angry. He stood up. Walking around the desk his eyes fixed on Avery.

"You're a temp with a degree from a state school " he whispered. "How do you know about my uncle's accounts?"

Avery's heart stopped. She had said much. She couldn't tell him that she had been tracking the Thorne family's money for years.

"I'm good at my job, Mr. Thorne, " she said. "Just look at the numbers."

His hand shot out. Grabbed the edge of the desk behind her trapping her. His scent was strong, like sandalwood and expensive tobacco.

"You're hiding something, " he said. "People who need money badly as you do don't usually talk back to the person in charge."

"Maybe I just care about the truth more than your ego, " Avery said, her voice sharp.

For a moment Silas didn't move. He looked at her lips back at her eyes. The air between them felt electric.

The phone on the desk buzzed, breaking the spell. Silas stepped back. Answered it.

"Thorne."

He listened for a moment, his jaw getting tighter. "What do you mean someone tried to open the vault? Only my uncle and I have the codes."

He hung up. Grabbed his jacket. He looked at Avery, his eyes flashing with curiosity.

"Get your things, " he said. "We're going to the bank. Someone just tried to open the safety deposit box. I think you might know why."

Avery felt the cream-colored card in her bag getting heavier. She wasn't supposed to tell anyone about it.. The game was moving fast and Silas was already opening the door.