Chapter 13 - Julian’s Office
Julian’s office occupied the top floor of a narrow, historic brick building in the financial district, far removed from the gleaming glass towers where Lorenzo held court. The elevator was out of order, so Elena and I climbed the four flights of spiral iron stairs, our footsteps echoing off the exposed brick walls.
When we reached the frosted glass door marked *Julian Vance, Attorney at Law*, I didn't bother knocking. I rattled the brass handle. It gave way with a sharp click.
The office was dark, illuminated only by the neon glow of a dental sign across the street cutting red slashes through the venetian blinds. Julian sat behind his heavy oak desk in his shirtsleeves, nursing a glass of scotch, looking as though he hadn't slept in three days. He looked up sharply as we stepped into the room, his hand dropping instinctively toward a manila folder resting beside his lamp.
"You're out late, Victoria," Julian said, his voice deep, tired, and remarkably calm. "And you brought company."
"Miller’s safe," I said, walking straight to his desk and laying my phone down upon the blotter, pulling up the photographs of the ledger pages. "The real accounts. The ones Lorenzo claims don't exist."
Julian adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses, leaning forward into the neon glow. His eyes scanned the images, moving rapidly across the routing numbers and signatures. A slow, heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by the hum of the old radiator in the corner.
"Where did you get these?" Julian asked, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper.
"From Miller’s private files," I replied, pulling out the brass key and dropping it beside the phone with a sharp metallic clatter. "And Lorenzo is walking into the board meeting at nine o'clock this morning expecting to present me as the sole thief to protect the firm's reputation."
Julian looked up from the screen, staring at me with a mixture of profound shock and reluctant respect. He picked up the key, turning it over in his calloused fingers.
May you like
"Lorenzo isn't protecting the firm, Victoria," Julian said softly. "He’s protecting himself. His signature is on the master authorization that cleared the first transfer six months ago. He knew about the scheme before you ever married him."
The words hit me like a physical blow, the air rushing from my lungs as the final, terrible piece of the puzzle clicked into place.
