Chapter 17: First National
The interior of First National Bank was a cavernous expanse of polished marble, mahogany desks, and vaulted ceilings. The hushed murmurs of high-end financial transactions echoed off the walls.
"Target is inside," Reynolds's voice crackled softly in Laura’s ear. "Proceed to teller four."
Laura walked across the grand lobby. She noticed a man in a business suit reading a newspaper on a leather sofa. She noticed a woman in a security uniform standing near the vault. To anyone else, they were just people. To Laura, they were the invisible net designed to catch monsters.
She reached teller four. The young man behind the glass gave her a polite smile. "How can I help you today, ma'am?"
"I need to initiate a high-yield wire transfer," Laura said, slipping her ID and a piece of paper with the Apex Holdings routing numbers under the glass. "It's for an offshore account. The balance is fifteen million dollars."
"Of course, Mrs. Hayes. This will take a few moments to verify."
As the teller began typing, Laura felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
"Two bogeys entering the main doors," Reynolds murmured in her ear. "European descent, tailored suits, no visible weapons. They are making a direct line for you, Laura. Hold your ground."
Laura didn't turn around. She kept her eyes locked on the teller.
A shadow fell over her left shoulder. Then, another on her right. She was boxed in against the counter.
"Laura Hayes," a smooth, deeply accented voice said softly next to her ear. It was the same voice from the phone call.
Laura slowly turned her head. The man standing next to her looked like a Wall Street executive, but his eyes were completely dead. The man on her right was broader, staring straight ahead, acting as a physical barricade between Laura and the rest of the bank.
"Hello," Laura said evenly. "I assume you're the one who told me I missed a spot."
The man smiled, revealing perfectly white teeth. "You are much braver than your ex-husband. Julian was always a coward when things got difficult. Cancel the transfer, Laura. You are going to walk out of this bank with us. We have a car waiting. You will bring the biometrics, and you will transfer the funds to a new account of my choosing."
"And if I refuse?"
The man stepped closer, invading her personal space. "We know where your lawyer lives. We know where the safehouse is. We have men outside both locations right now. If you do not walk out of this door with me in the next thirty seconds, your daughter will not survive the afternoon."
Laura felt a spike of pure terror, but the earpiece crackled instantly.
"He's bluffing," Miller's gruff voice cut through the comms. "We have eyes on Sarah and the kid. Perimeter is totally clear. He's trying to spook you."
Laura let out a slow, measured breath. The terror evaporated, replaced by a cold, searing fury. She looked the man directly in his dead eyes.
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"You don't know anything about me," Laura whispered.
She reached into her purse and pressed the hidden button.
