Source One

while Amber used it. Amber quickly looked around. There were cleaning supplies on the floor.  But absolutely nothing she could use as a weapon.
    “Back on the bed,” Sumner said once she came out.
    Amber fought back a cry as she got back onto the bed.
    Michelle recuffed her. When she finished, Sumner headed toward the staircase.
    Amber drew in a shaky breath. She was being left alive for now.
    Michelle looked down at Amber and sighed. “Do you want some water?”
    Amber nodded.
    Michelle followed Sumner up the stairs.
    A minute later, she was back with a bottle of water. She pulled the gag out of Amber’s mouth. Uncapped the water and held it to Amber’s lips.
    Amber drank long sips. She pulled away when she’d had enough.
    “More?”
    Amber shook her head. “Why are you doing this?” she whispered.
    Michelle stared down at her for long moments.
    Finally, she spoke. “Brian bought Peter out. Then he went on to make millions with the Source One code. It’s time for Peter to get some of the money. The real money.”
    Michelle shook her head. “You were a last resort, Amber. Someone we could use as a scapegoat but only if Brian figured out his code was being resold.”
    She paced and then turned back around. “Why were you in Peter’s files?”
    Amber wet her lips. “I saw you get into his car at the grocery store.”
    Michelle pressed her lips together. “Flat tire,” she muttered.
    Amber closed her eyes. Of all things, her life hung in the balance because of a flat tire.
    When she opened her eyes, Michelle was absently tapping the water bottle against her leg.
    “How long have you planned this?” Amber whispered.
    “I met Peter right after he and Brian parted ways.”
    Three years ago.
    Amber blinked up at Michelle. All the time Michelle had worked for Brian, she and Sumner had been planning to steal from him.
    “Why pretend I’d stolen money from Brian?”
    “You were getting too close to him. You had to be believable as a scapegoat, as someone who hated Brian, in case we needed you.”
    “How did you get into the house?” Amber whispered.
    “Brian keeps a spare key in his office.”
    Amber ’s eyes widened. “And your work with Second Street. That was part of the plan too? To find someone with a criminal background?”
    Michelle nodded and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, Amber. I’m sorry it’s come to this.”
    She pulled the gag back into Amber’s mouth. Then she turned and headed back up the stairs.

CHAPTER 25
     
    Brian had just walked into the office. He set his briefcase down on the floor.
    His assistant, Stephanie, came in with a cup of coffee. “Can I get you anything else?”
    Brian shook his head. “I’m going to be on the phone awhile.”
    Stephanie nodded and shut his door.
    Brian pulled out his phone. He scrolled to Matt’s number and hit the call button.
    “How’s it going?” Brian asked.
    “I was just going to call you,” Matt said. “Can you meet?”
    Twenty minutes later, they were seated in a coffeehouse a block from the office.
    “What did you find?”
    “Michelle Lowell bought another property recently.”
    Brian cocked his head and frowned. “Really?”
    Matt reached into his messenger bag. Handed Brian a paper. “She purchased it with someone. Take a look.”
    Brian stared at the name above Michelle’s on the deed. His jaw clenched. Peter Sumner .
    “There’s something else,” Matt said.
    Brian looked up as Matt handed him another paper.
    “I did another search on Amber. There’s a bank account in the Grand Caymans that’s been linked to her name. It was recently opened. It must have happened within the last week.”
    Brian ran a hand through his hair. Another bank account.
    Yet, Brian was becoming more and more convinced of her innocence. She’d been framed for some reason. Some reason he couldn’t understand yet.
    Whatever the reason was, it had something to do with Sumner , Michelle and Source One’s latest code.
    Brian sat tapping a pencil at his desk half an hour later.
    He had called Amber’s cell twice in the last twenty minutes. Her phone had gone straight to voice mail.
    Five minutes later, he tried again. When Amber’s message came on again, Brian hung up, dialed Sumner Systems and asked for Amber.
    “Who’s calling, please?”
    There was a pause after Brian answered the question. “Brian?.......Amber’s ex?”
    Brian exhaled. “Yes.”
    “My name’s Nicole. I’m covering Amber’s desk.”
    “It’s very important I