Chapter 8 - STANDOFF
Nathaniel stepped instinctively in front of Grace, shielding her with his body. He kept his own weapon lowered, calculating the odds. If he fired, the manager might pull the trigger first.
"You're out of your mind, Victoria," Nathaniel said calmly, stalling for time. "Even if you destroy the drive, my accountants have already flagged the offshore transfers. The FBI is looking into Vance as we speak."
"Vance can buy his way out of an FBI probe," Victoria snapped, her perfect posture rigid with desperation. "But he can't buy his way out of a signed conspiracy contract. Give me the drive!"
"No." Grace stepped out from behind Nathaniel.
"Grace, get back," Nathaniel warned.
But Grace held up her hand. She looked Victoria dead in the eye. The timid, broken housekeeper from a week ago was gone. In her place was a mother defending her child, a woman who had endured too much pain to be intimidated by a spoiled heiress.
"You want it?" Grace asked, holding the silver flash drive up. "Come get it."
With a sudden, violent motion, Grace threw the flash drive as hard as she could toward the roaring fireplace at the end of the room.
Victoria screamed. "Get it!"
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The estate manager instinctively turned his gun away from Nathaniel and lunged toward the hearth to catch the drive before it hit the flames.
It was the only opening Nathaniel needed.
