Chapter 9
The heavy scent of old paper and leather filled Emma’s lungs as she crawled deeper into the dark library. Above her, the heavy boots of the mercenaries thudded against the iron grating of the second-floor walkway.
"Check the rare books section!" one of the men grunted, the beam of his flashlight sweeping wildly across the lower floor, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air.
Emma flattened herself against the ground, pressing her fair, rosy cheek into the carpet as the beam of light passed mere inches over her head. She waited for the light to move away before scrambling forward again.
She reached the massive, oak reading desks near the bay windows. The moonlight spilling through the glass illuminated the area in a pale, ghostly glow. Emma counted them silently. One. Two. Three.
She scrambled under the third desk. It was cramped, smelling of lemon polish. She reached her gloved hand up, running her fingers frantically along the rough underside of the heavy oak wood.
Her fingers brushed against something completely smooth. Duct tape.
Emma’s heart leaped. She picked at the edge of the tape with her fingernail, tearing it away. A small, cold, metal object dropped directly into her palm. The flash drive. Ethan’s insurance policy.
"Got it," Emma mouthed silently, gripping the drive tightly.
Suddenly, a heavy boot stepped directly into the moonlight beside the desk.
Emma froze, clapping her free hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp. One of the mercenaries had come downstairs. He was standing less than two feet away from her hiding spot.
"I don't see anything down here," the mercenary called out, his voice booming in the quiet room. "Are you sure the kid even hid it in here?"
"Tear the desks apart just in case," the second mercenary replied from above.
The man next to the desk reached out, grabbing the heavy wooden chair tucked under the desk. He yanked it backward violently.
Emma squeezed her eyes shut, pressing herself as far back into the shadows of the desk well as physically possible. The mercenary bent down, shining his flashlight into the space. The brilliant beam of light hit the floor just inches from Emma’s white flats.
May you like
"Nothing," the mercenary muttered, kicking the chair aside. "Let's check the east wing. The boss wants this done before the party ends."
The man turned and walked away, his heavy footsteps fading toward the library doors. Emma remained frozen under the desk for two full minutes after the doors clicked shut, her entire body shaking with adrenaline. She had the drive. Now she just had to get it back to William.
