“Security!” a voice shouted from the distance. “Is anyone down there?”

Julian laughed, a dry, coughing sound.

“They aren’t here to help you, Commander,” he whispered.

I looked toward the doorway.

The shadows on the wall began to shift as more flashlights approached.

I had to make a choice.

If I stayed, I would be caught in a restricted area with a battered palace staff member.

If I ran, I would lose the evidence.

I let go of Julian and knelt down, grabbing the torn ledger pages from the floor.

I stuffed them inside my jacket, zipping it tight against my chest.

Julian rolled over, groaning as he clutched his shoulder.

“They will find you,” he said.

I picked up my flashlight and turned it off, plunging my corner of the room back into shadow.

I slipped behind the row of metal cabinets just as the first beam of the security team’s lights hit the doorway.

“In here!” a voice yelled.

Two guards burst into the room, their weapons drawn.

They immediately spotted Julian on the floor.

“Sir! Are you alright?” one guard asked, kneeling beside him.