Chapter 6 - Infiltrating the Fortress
At 2:00 AM, the towering glass monolith of Vance Global Pharmaceuticals stood dark and imposing against the stormy Boston harbor skyline. Rain lashed against the high-rise windows, reflecting the amber glow of the streetlights below.
A black town car pulled into the executive underground loading bay. Eleanor sat in the back seat, dressed in an elegant silk coat, her expression calm and regal. I sat beside her, having changed back into my black tuxedo trousers and a dark leather jacket, concealing a high-frequency signal jammer and Sarah’s mobile decryption device in my inner pocket.
The security gate guard approached the window, shining his flashlight into the car. "Building is locked down, ma'am. No visitors after midnight."
Eleanor rolled down her window halfway, looking down her nose at the guard with cold, upper-class disdain. "Do you know who I am, young man? I am Eleanor Vance-Montgomery, senior board member and sister of the chairman. My brother summoned me here for an emergency executive meeting regarding the hospital incident."
The guard hesitated, recognizing her face from the corporate portraits in the lobby. "I... I haven't received an advance clearance on the log, Mrs. Montgomery."
"Check the master board portal," Eleanor said smoothly, sliding a heavy gold ring off her finger and placing it on the window frame. "Or call Victor directly on his private line right now and tell him you delayed his sister in the rain. See how your career looks at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."
The guard swallowed hard, intimidated by her overwhelming aura of authority. He swiped his master pass, and the heavy security gate slowly swung open. "Proceed to elevator bay B, ma'am. Have a good evening."
"Works every time," Eleanor murmured under her breath as the car pulled into the private bay.
We stepped out of the vehicle and moved swiftly toward the private executive elevator. I swiped Isabella's titanium keycard through the hidden scanner beneath the call button. The scanner beeped green.
ACCESS GRANTED: WELCOME, DR. ISABELLA MONTGOMERY.
The elevator doors slid open quietly. We stepped inside, and I pressed the button for the 50th floor—the Penthouse Executive Suite.
As the elevator ascended rapidly, the lights inside flickered briefly. The digital floor indicator climbed: 10... 20... 30...
Suddenly, a loud mechanical screech echoed through the shaft, and the elevator ground to a violent, stomach-churning halt at floor 42.
The emergency red lights flashed on.
May you like
A smooth, mocking voice echoed over the elevator’s intercom system. "Did you really think it would be that easy, Marcus?"
It was Victor Vance.
