I kept one hand on the steering wheel and placed the other on my stomach.

The baby was quiet.

I had to finish this tonight.

I drove toward the Vale headquarters, a dark glass tower rising into the snowy sky.

The parking lot was mostly empty, except for three black sedans idling near the side entrance.

Their exhaust pipes sent thick plumes of white steam into the freezing air.

I parked my SUV a block away.

I pulled the silver flash drive from my coat pocket and held it tightly in my fist.

The metal was cold against my skin.

I walked toward the side entrance, the snow crunching loudly under my boots.

The heavy glass door was unlocked.

The lobby was dark, the security desk empty.

A single computer monitor flickered on the desk, casting a blue light across the marble floor.

I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the penthouse suite.

My heart hammered against my ribs as the elevator climbed.

When the doors opened, the executive floor was completely silent.

The air smelled of stale coffee and expensive leather.