Scarlett made sure her sleek earpiece was inserted correctly.
“Crimson,” said Cass, pulling her aside as the others disembarked onto the dock. “You mentioned your vox powers, but I want you to stay quiet in front of anyone we come across tonight. Given your role in the public eye, there’s a chance someone could recognize your voice.”
Scarlett thought of Brayden, forced to use his power at the National Theater, and asked, “But what if it’s a life-and-death situation?”
Cass cocked her head to one side. “Use your discretion. That’s what we all do. Just don’t forget the risk.”
“I won’t.”
Together, they made their way in the darkness to the house’s back entrance. Cass took the lead, banging on the door with authority.
An older man opened the door a minute later. “What—?”
Cass flashed a badge, as did Rex and Lock, who stood just behind her. “We have a warrant to search the premises on behalf of the Soleil Bureau.”
“He—he’s not home,” the man stuttered.
A stab of guilt coursed through Scarlett. The man looked like he was Manon’s age.
“He doesn’t need to be,” barked Cass. “Take us to LordFedersin’s office.”
“Why are you masked?” The man twisted his hands as he shrank back, but he didn’t step aside.
“Sir, impeding bureau officers is a jailable offense. Take us to his office.”
“I don’t want any trouble,” said the man as he let them in. “I’m just the cook.”
“Is there anyone else in the house?” asked Cass.
The cook looked up at her with wide eyes. “They’re all at the gala. The study is the second door on the left upstairs.”
“Thank you for your cooperation. Ace, stay downstairs, please,” said Cass.
Mace nodded and gestured for the cook to lead the way into the nearby kitchen.
Scarlett tensed as they followed the old man’s directions to Lord Federsin’s study. Brixton stood by the door while Rex, Lock, Cass, and Scarlett went inside.
An enormous map of Soleil dominated the back wall, and Lord Federsin’s shelves were filled with model ships and other nautical-themed ornaments. Unlike her father’s study, there were no books, and the room was as neat as a pin. Federsin either didn’t read or did all his policy reviews at Parliament.
Adrenaline rushed through Scarlett as they approached his desk and she spotted his laptop. Lock went straight for the closet, while Rex pulled open desk drawers.
Cass handed a burner phone to Scarlett. “Here—tell him you have a laptop.”
“Yes?” answered Tyler after one ring.
“I’ve got a laptop,” said Scarlett without preamble.
He cackled. “Hell yeah. Here’s what you do.”
Scarlett was too focused to laugh with him as she followed his instructions. Once Tyler had access, he began to transfer the contents of the laptop to his cloud. As her heart pounded,Scarlett kept an eye on the others moving about the room while she waited next to the laptop in case Tyler needed her.
“Bank statement with account numbers,” Lock said in a low voice. He placed several papers on top of the desk in front of Cass, who was searching the desk.
Scarlett glanced toward the closet, noticing an open safe. Lock got into a safe?Yes.That was something.
Cass took the bank statements and began photographing them with her phone.
“Okay, the laptop’s done,” said Tyler a minute later.
