“Because someone died protecting what’s missing from those pages.”
The words stripped the amusement from Julian’s face.
Leo looked at the federal agents.
“And because if those records are circulating again, tonight’s robbery may not have been random.”
Silence settled over the lounge.
Julian slowly looked toward the three covered forms on the carpet.
“You think they came for you?”
“I think three men carrying rifles into a room full of rich targets makes an excellent distraction.”
One agent cursed under his breath.
Julian turned back to Leo.
“What was the real objective?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then why are the federal agents frightened?”
“They aren’t frightened of me.”
Leo’s voice was quiet now.
“They’re frightened somebody found me.”
That answer changed everything.
The agents immediately ordered the lounge sealed again.
Nobody entered or left without being checked.
Security recordings were copied.
Elevator access logs were pulled.
The investigators stopped treating the incident like a wealthy nightclub robbery and began reconstructing exactly where each gunman had moved during the ten seconds before they died.
That was when they found the anomaly.
The leader had shouted for wallets and phones.
The second robber had covered the room.
But the inexperienced third man—the one Leo had challenged—had moved directly toward the bankers’ table where she was standing.
He passed patrons wearing watches worth more than most robberies produced.
He ignored a senator.
He ignored Julian Moretti.
He went to Leo.
Julian watched the recording beside the federal agents.
“Not random,” he said.
Nobody disagreed.
Leo stood behind them with her arms folded.
One agent finally turned.
“You need to come with us.”
“No.”
“Leo.”
“I gave you two years.”
“This is different.”
“You said that before.”
Julian heard something beneath the exchange that had nothing to do with authority.
Betrayal.
The agent’s voice softened.
“We thought the identity was buried.”
Leo gave a humorless smile.
“And yet he found a folder in three hours.”
Every eye turned toward Julian.
He did not apologize.
“I’m efficient.”
“That,” Leo said, “is exactly the problem.”
Marcus returned from downstairs and froze when he saw federal agents surrounding Julian.
His hand drifted instinctively toward his jacket.
Leo noticed.
“Don’t,” she said.
Marcus glared at her.
