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“We may stand on opposite sides of the law,” Atlas continued, “but ultimately, we want the same thing. If you move against the Coccicos, my family will give you access, protection and whatever evidence you need.”
“Regardless of the risk to your organization?”
“Regardless of the cost. We both have a moral obligation to end this.”
Greco studied him long enough to decide whether the promise was worth anything. Then she folded her hands on the table.
“The moment I accept that drive, everyone in this room becomes a target.”
“You’ve been a target for four years,” Atlas reminded her. “And yet, here you are.”
“Until now, killing me would only have delayed the investigation.” Greco’s gaze moved to the drive. “After tonight, it may become the only way they believe they can survive.”
I leaned forward. “Then how do we stop them?”
Greco opened the folder again and removed a single document.
“We make my death pointless. I’ve created a dead-man’s switch. Copies of the evidence will be sent to three judges, five news organizations and two international agencies.”
Demitri’s hand tightened on my shoulder. “How does it work?”
“I enter a personal code every twelve hours. If I fail because I’ve been killed, abducted, arrested or silenced in any other way, the files are released automatically.”
Raze’s attention sharpened.
“Can it be disabled remotely?”
“Not without my credentials.”
“And if they force you to give them up?”
“I have a second code.”
“What does that one do?” I asked.
“It releases everything immediately and warns every recipient that I entered it under threat.”
Silence followed.
The plan was simple and brutal. Kill Greco, and the truth spread. Take her alive, and it spread faster.
Demitri spoke behind me. “What happens now?”
“I’ll request sealed warrants for every warehouse we can confirm,” Greco informed us. “Then I place surveillance teams on the sites, the drivers and everyone already named in my investigation.”
“You have corrupt officers in your division,” Atlas reminded her. “The Coccicos could hear about the warrants before your teams reach the doors.”
“They won’t pass through my division. I’ll write them myself and place them directly in the judge’s hands.”
Raze’s expression remained cold. “And the judge?”
Greco met his gaze. “Believe it or not, some people still value justice more than money. I know who those people are.”
Demitri shifted behind me. His hand moved from my shoulder to the side of my neck, his thumb resting beneath my ear. I felt the tension in his fingers.
“The first warrants will be ready before dawn,” Greco continued. “Once I accept that evidence, there will be no quiet way back. The Coccicos will start killing anyone they believe can expose them.”
Atlas stepped forward and placed the drive on the table. For several seconds, Greco didn’t touch it. She stared at the small black device as though it carried a live charge. In a way, it did. The files held enough names to end careers, collapse institutions and send powerful men into hiding. They also held the records of women reduced to prices and shipment numbers, those already dead and those still waiting to be found.
