I looked out the window at the snow falling over the city.

The streetlights were starting to flicker on in the early winter dusk.

My mind raced, mapping out the immediate danger.

If the banks received a court order, they would lock down everything associated with Elliot’s name and the holding company.

But Northline’s immediate operational funds, the local accounts we used for payroll and fuel keys, were managed directly from the headquarters.

“I need to get to the office,” I said, standing up.

“Avery, it’s late,” Malcolm said. “The roads are going to be terrible.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said, grabbing my coat. “If they freeze the corporate accounts, I need to secure the local ledgers and the physical backup keys.”

I needed to make sure we had a record of every transaction, every outstanding invoice, and the backup financial data before any lawyers could access our servers.

“I’ll call Calvin,” I said, pulling out my own phone. “He needs to know what’s coming.”

“Be careful,” Malcolm said, his voice filled with concern. “They are desperate, Avery. Desperate people do unpredictable things.”