Chapter 13 - Vivian's Bargain
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I stood in the underground vault, listening to the desperate, hyperventilating sobs of the woman who had intentionally poured boiling oil onto my spine just hours ago. The irony was thick and bitter.
"Why should I care if Daniel cleans up his own mess?" I asked, my voice devoid of any sympathy.
"Because I know where he's going!" Vivian shrieked into the receiver, her panic reaching a fever pitch. "I overheard him on a burner phone last week. I know the name of the phantom corporation he uses to communicate with the top bosses! I'll tell you everything, Caroline! Just call your friends at the FBI and get me moved to protective custody!"
I looked at Lena. She nodded grimly. Vivian was a monster, but she was a monster with intelligence value.
"What's the name of the corporation, Vivian?" I demanded.
"Apex Holdings," she choked out. "They operate out of a shell office in the financial district. Daniel told them he was close to breaking you, that you would hand over the 'father's book' by the end of the month. Please, call the Feds!"
"I'll make the call," I lied smoothly. "Sit tight."
I hung up and instantly crushed the burner phone beneath the heel of my shoe. I had no intention of calling the FBI for Vivian. Let her sit in terror. She had earned it.
"Apex Holdings," Lena repeated. "Do you recognize it?"
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I flipped furiously through my father's journal, scanning the messy handwriting. "Here. My father tracked Apex Holdings. It's not just a shell company; it's a clearinghouse for cartel money. But my father noted that Apex can't move the funds without the master encryption codes. And those codes..."
"...are in the missing physical ledger," Lena finished, her eyes wide. "Caroline, if we don't find it before Daniel does, you're dead."
