“I am leaving Chicago tonight,” I said.

“Where will you go?” Vance asked.

“Somewhere the snow doesn’t fall,” I said.

I walked out of the conference room and back down the quiet hallway.

The elevator took me down to the lobby, and I stepped back out into the freezing wind.

The snow was falling thicker now, covering the streets in a clean, white blanket.

I got back into the SUV and turned on the heater.

As the engine warmed, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out.

It was an encrypted message from Sophia.

*Meet me at the Vale headquarters. Marcus is gone. We need to clear the main office before the police arrive.*

I stared at the screen, a cold feeling settling in my chest.

She still thought she was in control.

She had no idea that the Detroit partners had already received the leaked files.

She had no idea they were already heading to the headquarters to find her.

I deleted the message.

I put the car in gear and pulled out onto the empty street.