Chapter 6 - SILENCE IN THE LIBRARY
The heavy oak door of Alexander Montgomery's private library creaked open in the dark.
Elena stepped inside, her flashlight beam sweeping across rows of leather-bound books and oil paintings.
She moved behind the massive oak desk, reaching behind a portrait of the US Constitution to locate the hidden keyhole.
Her hands shook as she inserted the iron key and turned it clockwise until a quiet mechanical click sounded.
A panel in the wood wall slid open, exposing a small steel wall safe.
Inside lay a black leather journal and three encrypted flash drives stamped with the Montgomery family seal.
Suddenly, the glass window behind her shattered with a deafening crash.
A smoke grenade bounced across the Persian rug, releasing thick gray clouds into the library.
Elena gasped, coughing violently as she grabbed the leather journal and stuffed it into her pocket.
A masked intruder kicked through the broken window frame, holding a suppressed pistol aimed at her chest.
"Hand over the journal, old woman," a harsh, raspy voice commanded through a tactical mask.
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Elena backed up against the desk, her heart pounding violently against her ribs.
"Never," Elena spat, throwing the heavy brass lamp directly at his head.
