Chapter 3 - The Shadow on the Dock
""They followed you,"" Arthur said, his voice dropping into an icy register as he snatched the file back into his briefcase.
""Impossible,"" Nora countered, stepping back from the window. ""The car was hired through a private dummy agency under your sister's name. No one knew.""
""Julian has had eyes on this firm since your father fell ill,"" Arthur replied, moving toward the rear exit that led directly into the maze of shipping containers. ""He knows I wouldn't let you drown without a fight. Come on, we don't have time to debate how deep his pockets go.""
They moved quickly through the cavernous storage bays, the damp smell of diesel and sea mist filling Nora's lungs. Behind them, the metallic groan of the warehouse side door forced open echoed against the corrugated ceiling. Heavy boots crunched over loose gravel.
""Nora!"" a familiar voice shouted through the cavernous space. It was not Julian, but Richard Cole—Julian’s ruthless head of corporate security, a man notorious for cleaning up the Sterling family's most grotesque messes with quiet brutality. ""Mr. Sterling is willing to settle this quietly. Hand over the leather bag and whatever Vance gave you, and you can walk away with an eight-figure trust fund! Be sensible!""
Nora didn't flinch. She kept her pace matched with Arthur’s until they reached the emergency loading dock where a modest sea-taxi bobbed against the wooden pilings.
""Take the boat across the channel to the private marina in Oakridge,"" Arthur commanded, thrusting the briefcase into her arms. ""I'll draw Richard toward the avenue. Do not contact anyone until you meet Elena at the marina.""
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""Arthur, no. He won't hesitate to hurt you,"" Nora pleaded, grabbing his forearm.
The old lawyer offered a sad, resolute smile. ""I owe your father my life, my dear. Protect what is yours. Go!"" He shoved the vessel off, and the skipper gunned the engine just as Richard's silhouette broke through the warehouse bay, raising a radio to his lips with a vicious glare.
