Chapter 1093
“You didn’t know a lot of things,” Skye said, stepping into the light. She settled on the edge of the table and crossed her arms, gripping the surface to keep her hands steady. The dizziness from the blood loss was returning, a low thrumming in her ears. “Start talking, Conrad. The truth. Where did you last see the ruby?”
Conrad hesitated, his eyes cutting to the locked door.
Julian sighed and lifted a manila folder from his desk in the Alps. “This is a digital dossier of your embezzlements from the Hayes family trust. If you don’t answer Skye, I send it to Victoria within the minute.”
“No!” Conrad clutched his chest. “Not Victoria! She’ll kill me — she’s Head of House! She’ll cut me off!”
“Then speak,” Julian commanded.
“The Vault,” Conrad whispered. “The underground auction house in Manhattan. The one under the old bank.”
“I know it,” Alistair said. “Illegal, high-end, invite only.”
“I took the gem there to have it appraised,” Conrad admitted. “I thought I could get a valuation before selling it to Marcus. But the appraiser — he switched it. When I got the box back it felt lighter. I checked later, and it was glass. The real one is still there.”
“Or it’s being sold tonight,” Skye said. “If they stole it, they’ll fence it immediately.”
Julian typed something, and a digital image of a black card appeared on the screen. “My sources say tonight’s auction starts at midnight. You have two hours.”
“The invite requires a physical token,” Julian added. “Check Conrad’s pocket.”
Alistair reached into Conrad’s jacket and produced a black card with gold embossing. He turned it over. “Admit One. Plus guest. Strict security.”
He looked at Skye. “I’m going.”
“You’re too recognizable,” Skye argued. “Thorne is a brand. If you walk in there, everyone will know something is wrong. I need to go.”
“It’s a den of vipers, Skye,” Alistair growled. “I’m not letting you walk in there alone. And you look like you’re about to faint — you’re swaying right now.”
“I won’t be alone,” Skye said, forcing herself upright. “It says ‘plus guest.’ You can be my bodyguard. Or my arm candy.”
“I don’t do arm candy,” Alistair said flatly.
“Actually,” Julian interrupted, a sly smile touching the corners of his lips, “there is a better way. Someone who has VIP access — someone who can walk in and demand to see the manager without raising suspicion. Someone already part of your executive team.”
“Who?” Skye asked.
“Victoria Hayes,” Julian said. “Conrad’s sister.”
Conrad whimpered. “Please don’t tell her I’m here.”
“Victoria is our Chief Strategy Officer,” Alistair said, frowning. “She’s already involved. But putting her in field operations puts her at risk.”
“She hates incompetence more than she hates danger,” Julian countered. “And saving her family’s fortune is a powerful motivator.”
Skye looked at Alistair. It was a risk — but Victoria had proven herself capable.
“Call her,” Skye said.
Victoria Hayes walked into the warehouse’s waiting room as though she owned the place. She was wearing a sharp white pantsuit that looked like it cost more than most people’s cars. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a severe chignon, and her blue eyes were cold as ice.