“I was your secretary, Marcus,” I said quietly.

“My job was to keep track of everything you did.”

“That included the things you tried to hide.”

Marcus took a step toward me, but the officer holding his arm firmly pulled him back.

“Save it for the ride down, Reed,” Detective Harris said.

The detective turned to Alexander.

“The district attorney has reviewed the preliminary data you sent from the safehouse.”

“The fraud charges against you are being dropped, Mr. Vale.”

“You are a free man.”

Alexander closed his eyes for a brief second.

When he opened them, the tension in his jaw had disappeared.

“Thank you, Detective,” Alexander said.

“Take them down,” Harris ordered.

The officers led Marcus out of the room.

His leather shoes scuffed against the floor, a dull, pathetic sound in the vast space.

Through the glass walls, I watched them guide him toward the service elevator.

Another officer appeared, escorting Victoria Crane.

Her white trench coat was damp, and her blonde hair clung to her cheeks.

She stopped in the doorway, her cold blue eyes locking onto Alexander.