Chapter 16 - The Impossible Trade
Derek Shaw wanted Graham.
That surprised everyone.
Graham sat handcuffed in an interrogation room when Kim told him.
For the first time since his arrest, he looked afraid.
“Don’t take me to him,” he said.
Arthur watched through the glass. “Why?”
Graham looked toward him. “Because Shaw doesn’t work for me anymore.”
Kim stepped closer. “Who does he work for?”
Graham laughed without humor. “Himself.”
The missing money was larger than they had realized. Graham had stolen nearly twenty million dollars, but only twelve million had reached accounts police could trace. Shaw had discovered the scheme and demanded a cut. Somewhere along the way, he decided the whole operation was worth taking.
“He thinks I have the access codes,” Graham said.
“Do you?” Kim asked.
Graham said nothing.
Arthur entered the room.
“Give him the codes.”
Graham looked up. “And then what? He kills me and your son anyway?”
“If there’s even a chance—”
“There isn’t.”
Arthur grabbed him by the shirt before officers pulled him back.
“You don’t get to tell me what chance my son is worth.”
Graham’s fear sharpened. “The account needs two keys. Mine and Victoria’s.”
Arthur stopped.
Victoria was brought in.
She admitted she had memorized a six-digit authorization sequence Graham forced her to use months earlier.
Kim built a plan: appear to agree to Shaw’s trade, use Graham and Victoria’s credentials as bait, and track the old depot from three directions.
Arthur hated every second of it.
At 6:40 p.m., Shaw sent instructions.
No police. Graham in the passenger seat. Arthur driving. Depot gate at 7:30.
Kim fitted Arthur with a concealed transmitter.
“You do exactly what he says until we have Leo in sight.”
Arthur nodded.
Victoria stepped toward him before he left.
“I know you will never forgive me.”
“This is not the time.”
“I know. But tell Leo—”
Arthur cut her off. “You can tell him yourself if you start telling the truth in court.”
He walked away.
At 7:28, Arthur’s car rolled through the rusted depot gate.
May you like
The gate slammed shut behind him.
A red laser dot appeared on his chest.
