Chapter 13 - THE BASEMENT ARCHIVES
The sub-basement archives of the Vance Global building smelled of old paper, dust, and decades of forgotten corporate history.
Marcus swiped his security badge, unlocking the heavy steel door to the climate-controlled vault housing physical paper files.
Rows upon rows of towering metal shelving units stretched out into the dim, fluorescent-lit corridors.
He pulled a flashlight from his pocket, navigating down aisle four toward the section containing financial audits from twenty years ago.
Unbeknownst to Marcus, a shadowy figure slipped through the closing vault door behind him, moving silently between the shelves.
Marcus reached the bottom shelf, pulling out a thick, dust-covered manila folder labeled 1998 Offshore Holdings.
Suddenly, a heavy leather glove clamped forcefully over his mouth from behind, cutting off his startled gasp.
"You're digging where you don't belong, Marcus," a cold, muffled voice whispered menacingly into his ear.
May you like
Marcus thrashed wildly, dropping the heavy folder onto the concrete floor as his flashlight rolled away into the darkness.
Before he could throw an elbow backward, a sharp blow to the back of his neck sent him collapsing into unconsciousness.
