The spacing of the letters did not match his usual precise handwriting.

“Hayes didn’t sign this,” Nathan said, his eyes widening.

“You did this yourself.”

“Hayes is an employee,” Richard said coldly.

“He does what he is told.”

“Not this time,” I said.

“We know he has been looking for these original documents.”

Richard smiled, a slow, chilling grin that made my stomach turn.

“Mr. Hayes is loyal to the name Whitmore, not to you, Emily.”

The air in the vault was growing noticeably warmer and heavier.

The heavy steel vents above us hummed, but no air was flowing through them.

“We need to get out of here,” I said, looking at the solid steel door.

“There is no way out unless I command it,” Richard said.

He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a small, black radio.

He pressed the button on the side.

“Is the perimeter secure?” Richard spoke into the device.

A static hiss answered him, followed by a deep voice.

“Yes, Mr. Whitmore,” the voice said. “Security is in position outside the cellar door.”