Chapter 7 - The Watch's Secret
Dorian carried the watch to a heavy oak desk in the corner of the bedroom.
He pulled a small pocket knife from his coat and carefully inserted the blade into the cracked seam of the steel casing.
With a sharp twist, the back panel of the watch popped off.
Hidden inside, tucked neatly behind the battery compartment, was a tiny, black micro-SD card.
Marin gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.
Daniel had known he was going to die.
He had left the evidence with the one person he trusted most in the world.
Dorian pulled a slim, encrypted laptop from his briefcase and inserted the tiny memory card.
The screen flickered to life, requiring a password.
"Do you know what it could be?" Dorian asked, looking over his shoulder at Marin.
She closed her eyes, thinking back to the man she had loved.
"Try our wedding date," she suggested.
"061419."
Dorian typed the numbers.
The screen flashed red.
Access Denied.
"He was an auditor," Marin reasoned, her mind racing.
"He wouldn't use something obvious."
"Try Titan."
Dorian frowned.
"Why would he use my dog's name?"
"Because Daniel loved dogs," she explained.
"He always told me about the giant, scary dog that walked around the executive floors."
"He used to joke that the dog was the only honest employee in the building."
Dorian stared at her for a long moment before turning back to the keyboard.
He typed the word TITAN.
The screen turned green.
Access Granted.
Dorian’s breath caught in his throat as hundreds of files populated the screen.
It was everything.
Audio recordings of Victor making deals with rival cartels.
Bank statements showing millions being transferred to offshore accounts in Victor’s name.
And an encrypted email chain detailing the exact plan to run Daniel Caldwell’s car off the bridge.
Dorian’s blood ran cold.
He had the proof.
Victor had not only stolen money; he had been selling Dorian’s secrets to their enemies for years.
"Is it there?" Marin asked nervously from the bed.
"It is all here," Dorian confirmed, snapping the laptop shut.
He walked back to the bed, his expression completely transformed.
The patient protector was gone.
The ruthless king of the underworld had returned.
"I am leaving half my men here to guard you," Dorian commanded.
"Do not leave this room."
"Do not open the door for anyone except me."
Marin grabbed his sleeve, suddenly terrified that he wouldn't come back.
"Dorian, please be careful."
May you like
He leaned down and kissed her forehead, an intimate, tender gesture that shocked them both.
"I always come back," he whispered.
