Chapter 3 - The Ghost in the Ledger
Graham’s private office at Bastion Arc looked like a war room designed by a minimalist.
Floor-to-ceiling glass overlooked the glittering skyline, while massive monitors glowed with streams of encrypted data.
Elise stood in front of the main display, a cup of black coffee warming her hands.
“They used a synthetic identity,” Elise explained, tapping a keyboard to pull up a maze of LLCs.
“Vanguard bought the Sterling name from a black-market data broker, funded the lifestyle, and put her directly in your path at the charity gala last month.”
Graham watched her work, completely mesmerized by the speed and precision of her mind.
“You did all this in your head? While serving Dover sole?” he asked, a faint smile touching his lips.
“I was a forensic accountant at Broderick & Sloan. I recognize patterns. And her trust fund routing numbers were a dead giveaway.”
Graham leaned back in his leather chair, the gravity of the situation settling over him.
“If Vanguard planted her, they have someone on my inside feeding her my schedule. My board votes on the merger in forty-eight hours.”
May you like
Elise turned to face him, the fire returning to her eyes for the first time in two years.
“Then we have forty-eight hours to find your mole.”
