Chapter 23 The Vault Code

• The morning after Vanessa’s brush with the Donovans, the city felt colder. Grey clouds loomed over the skyline, and a brisk wind tugged at her coat as she stepped out with Gideon. Neither spoke much during the drive. The note with Marcus Vale’s name sat between them like a third presence, heavy with unanswered questions.
• Gideon pulled up to a discreet private office near the harbor. No signboard. Just a black door and a camera that scanned them before buzzing them in. Inside, a man in his early sixties sat behind a metal desk. Sharp brown eyes, silver hair slicked back, hands that looked like they’d broken more than just bones.
• "Vanessa Brooks," he said, standing. "Your mother would’ve wanted me to meet you sooner."