Chapter 24 - Unanswered Calls
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Elena slipped the black flash drive into the pocket of her white linen dress, her mind racing at a hundred miles an hour.
She walked swiftly down the hall to her private study, locking the door behind her. She plugged the drive into her secure, encrypted personal laptop.
A password screen immediately popped up: ENTER DECRYPTION KEY.
Elena typed in the series of numerical codes she had memorized from Vanessa’s personal journal during the forensic audit.
The screen flashed green: ACCESS GRANTED.
A series of encrypted audio files and international wire receipts populated the folder. Elena clicked on the most recent audio recording, dated just two days ago—from inside the federal correctional facility where Vanessa was currently serving her sentence.
A deep, unfamiliar male voice with a thick European accent spoke through the laptop speakers.
"You failed us, Vanessa. You allowed a pregnant girl to dismantle ten years of planning."
May you like
Vanessa’s voice answered, raspy, terrified, and sobbing. "I’m sorry! Please! She was smarter than we thought! Just get me out of here!"
"You are of no further use to us," the male voice replied coldly. "However, Mrs. Elena Howard has proven herself... interesting. We will handle the Howard family personally."
