Chapter 4 - The Graystone Gala
By Wednesday, Julian and I had a plan.
The safe deposit box required both the brass key and a thumbprint authorization from a family member. My grandfather had set it to accept mine.
Inside the box at First Republic, we found a single encrypted hard drive.
"I can crack this," Julian said, plugging it into his laptop at a coffee shop. "But I need a specific decryption key. It's likely on your father's personal server."
"His server is at his home office," I said. "I can't get in. I'm banned from the property."
Julian smiled thinly. "They're hosting the Graystone Hospital Charity Gala tomorrow night. The house will be packed with people."
"And completely distracted," I realized.
Thursday evening, I stood outside the back entrance of my childhood home.
I wore a simple black dress, blending in with the catering staff. Julian was beside me in a sharp tuxedo.
"Ready?" he whispered.
"Let's crash a party," I said.
We slipped through the kitchen during the dinner rush. The house was loud, filled with music and laughter.
I peaked into the ballroom. My father was holding court, laughing with investors.
He looked perfectly normal. He looked like a man who wasn't hiding a four-million-dollar hole.
"Go," Julian nudged me. "I'll keep watch at the stairs."
I crept up the back staircase, avoiding the squeaky step on the second landing.
My father's office was locked, but I knew where he kept the spare key. Under the loose floorboard in the hallway.
I opened the door and slipped inside, turning on my small flashlight.
The server hummed in the corner. I plugged in the USB drive Julian had given me.
A progress bar appeared on the small screen. 20%... 50%...
Suddenly, the doorknob rattled.
I froze, holding my breath.
"Arthur, you have to tell me what's going on!" my mother's voice hissed from the hallway.
"Not now, Cynthia," my father snapped back. "Keep smiling. If the board suspects anything, we're dead."
The door didn't open. They walked away down the hall.
The USB beeped. 100%.
I yanked it out, slipped out of the office, and ran back down the stairs to where Julian was waiting.
May you like
"Got it," I whispered.
Julian grabbed my hand. "Then let's get out of here before they notice."
