Chapter 5 - The Betrayal UpstairsBy sunrise, the club was under lockdown.
Every employee was questioned.
Every vehicle searched.
Every camera reviewed.
Lorenzo trusted almost nobody.
Now he had a reason.
His security chief entered the office carrying a tablet.
“We found the shooter.”
“Who?”
The chief turned the screen around.
A grainy camera image showed a man leaving the underground station.
Lorenzo recognized him.
One of his own guards.
“What the hell?”
The chief looked furious.
“He vanished an hour ago.”
Lorenzo studied the image.
“Find him.”
The chief nodded.
Nora stood near the window.
She hadn't spoken for ten minutes.
Lorenzo approached her.
“You need to eat.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You haven't eaten since yesterday.”
She turned.
“You saw my name on that list.”
“Yes.”
“You didn't tell me everything.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you were already terrified.”
“You don't get to decide what I can handle.”
Lorenzo paused.
She was right.
He looked away.
“Fine.”
He handed her a file.
“There were financial transfers connected to Daniel.”
She opened it.
Millions moved through shell companies.
One company appeared again and again.
V.R. Holdings.
Victor Raines.
Nora stared at the papers.
“My brother worked for him.”
Lorenzo looked at her.
“You never told me.”
“He was investigating him.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel thought Leo was stealing money.”
Lorenzo nodded slowly.
“And then Daniel died.”
“Yes.”
She closed the file.
“My family was told it was a robbery.”
Lorenzo's jaw tightened.
“It wasn't.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“It was a warning.”
A knock came at the door.
His security chief entered.
“We found the guard.”
“Where?”
“Upper parking deck.”
Lorenzo moved immediately.
Nora followed.
They reached the roof.
The guard stood beside the railing.
Blood soaked his shirt.
“Who shot you?”
The man coughed.
“Victor.”
Lorenzo crouched.
“What did he want?”
The guard gripped Lorenzo's sleeve.
“He has someone inside the club.”
“Who?”
The guard tried to speak.
Then his eyes widened.
A bullet struck his chest from the neighboring building.
He died instantly.
“DOWN!”
Lorenzo pulled Nora behind a concrete barrier.
More bullets struck the rooftop.
Security returned fire.
After several seconds, the shooting stopped.
Lorenzo checked Nora.
She was shaking.
Then she pointed toward the dead guard.
His hand was closed around something.
Lorenzo opened his fingers.
A small USB drive.
Attached was a note.
ASK THE WOMAN WHO SERVED YOU LAST NIGHT.
Nora looked confused.
“Who?”
Lorenzo didn't know.
Then one of his men ran over.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“The bartender from the VIP lounge is missing.”
“Name?”
“Claire.”
Lorenzo's expression darkened.
“Find her.”
The man hesitated.
“We found her phone.”
“Where?”
“In your bedroom.”
Nora slowly turned toward Lorenzo.
Neither spoke.
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Someone had placed Claire's phone inside his private room.
And whoever had done it had access to the most secure area in the building.
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