Chapter 16 - Gabriel Sets the Trap
Gabriel knew his uncle.
Victor would not run without money.
The stolen pharmaceuticals had created millions in hidden cash.
To access it, Victor needed one encrypted account.
Gabriel controlled the key.
So he created a trap.
A message went through family channels:
Gabriel was willing to trade the encryption key for the original ledger.
Victor responded within an hour.
Center Seven.
Platform Seven.
Midnight.
Madison stared at the message.
“He chose the platform.”
“He wants control.”
“No. He wants me there.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“You're not going.”
“Then he won't come.”
“He asked for me.”
“He knows I'm your weakness.”
Gabriel went still.
Madison realized what she had said.
Neither spoke for several seconds.
Finally Gabriel said, “Yes.”
Her heart shifted.
“Yes what?”
“You are.”
No dramatic declaration.
No speech.
Just truth.
Madison looked down.
“This is terrible timing.”
“I've had worse.”
She laughed softly.
At midnight, they stood together beneath Platform Seven.
Victor appeared above them.
“Appropriate place,” he said.
Madison looked up.
“Not really. The railing's safer now.”
Victor smiled.
Even Gabriel nearly did.
The exchange began.
Victor held the ledger.
Gabriel held a drive containing a fake encryption key.
Then Victor noticed something.
Madison wasn't afraid.
His expression changed.
“You're recording.”
Gabriel said, “Yes.”
Victor ran.
But every exit locked.
Federal agents entered.
Victor stared at his nephew.
“You chose her over family.”
Gabriel looked at Madison.
“No.”
Then back at Victor.
“I chose what family was supposed to mean.”
Victor was arrested.
The ledger was recovered.
May you like
The theft ring was finished.
And for the first time in twenty-four days, Madison looked at Platform Seven without feeling like she was falling.
