Chapter 5 - The Rising Tide of Betrayal
The sound of millions of gallons of freezing Atlantic water rushing into the lower drainage trench drowned out Viktor’s arrogant laughter instantly. As the grey foam surged over the concrete floor and began licking at the ankles of his boots, Viktor’s defiance cracked like brittle ice. He thrashed frantically against the heavy steel chains binding him to the pillar, his eyes bulging with animal panic as the icy water climbed past his knees. “Wait! Wait, Vance!” Viktor shrieked, his voice cracking as the spray soaked his chest. “I’ll give you the accounts! I’ll give you every name on the eastern seaboard network!” I stood motionless at the edge of the dry platform, watching the water rise with absolute detachment. “You had your chance to bargain when you stayed out of my family’s crypt, Viktor,” I said calmly. Beside me, Vivian collapsed to her knees on the damp steel grating, her manicured fingers clutching the hem of my coat. “Gabriel, please!” she sobbed, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. “He’ll drown him! Stop the water!” I looked down at her, my gaze as cold as the sea below. “You cared just as little about my mother when you took a pry-bar to her tomb, Vivian. Why should I care about your co-conspirator?” Before she could answer, Julian stepped out from the control alcove holding a decrypted data drive. “Boss! I’ve cracked the secondary firewall! The maritime council’s audit schedule was leaked directly from Vivian’s private terminal account ten minutes before the dinner party!” The trap was completely closed. Every thread of the conspiracy—from the desecrated crypt to the illegal offshore cargo—led directly back to the woman kneeling at my feet.
