Chapter 14 - The Final Breach
The metal began to groan under a blowtorch's fierce hiss. Sparks rained down from the top seam of the vault door, white-hot slag dripping onto the cold concrete floor.
"Marcus, how long on that transmission?" Julian asked, moving his daughter behind the heavy iron gun safe in the corner. He knelt before Lily, taking her small hands in his.
"Lily, listen to Daddy," he said, his voice dropping into that steady, gentle tone he used when reading her fairytales. "Whatever happens when that door opens, you stay behind this metal box with Grandma. You keep your eyes shut tight, understand? When it's over, we go home. Real home."
Lily nodded bravely, wiping a tear from her nose. "I love you, Daddy."
"I love you more than the whole world," Julian whispered, kissing her forehead. He stood up, stepping shoulder-to-shoulder with Marcus, their weapons aimed squarely at the melting perimeter of the steel door.
Claire was hyperventilating against the wall, her hands over her ears. "We’re going to die here! He’s going to execute all of us!"
"Shut up, Claire," Marcus commanded. He tapped the terminal key. "The upload is complete. The files are public. The NYSE has just frozen all Sterling trading. Ward’s accounts are seized."
At that exact second, the top hinge of the blast door gave way with a deafening boom. The heavy slab of titanium titled forward, filling the doorway with thick gray smoke. A figure stepped through the haze, wearing an expensive cashmere overcoat ruined by ash, carrying a silver-plated revolver.
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Arthur Ward stepped into the light, his distinguished face twisted by manic desperation.
"Julian," Arthur gasped, his eyes wild and bloodshot. "Give me the primary ledger. Give it to me, or none of you leave this tomb."
