Victoria took a slow step forward.

The heels of her leather shoes clicked sharply against the concrete.

“Julian is a thief from a family of thieves,” Victoria said.

“He was a convenient tool to keep the board quiet while I consolidated the offshore accounts.”

“But a tool is easily replaced when it becomes dull.”

One of the security guards, a broad-shouldered man named Harold, moved silently around the perimeter.

He was positioning himself to get a clear shot at Chloe.

My mind raced, the cold air from the harbor stinging my face.

I reached slowly into the deep pocket of my maternity coat.

My fingers brushed against the cold, smooth metal of my personal smartphone.

It was the secure device the tech team had configured for the baby shower stream last week.

The event had been designed as a global broadcast for the Callahan family’s private network, connecting hundreds of relatives and shareholders across three continents.

The private link was still active, saved on my home screen.

I carefully pressed the side button, feeling the slight vibration in my palm that meant the screen had unlocked.