"A guy. Called himself Robert. Said he worked for a security consulting firm. Said they were doing research on nightclub operations. Wanted someone on the inside to provide schedules, attendance records, that kind of thing. Said it was all above board."
"And you believed him?"
"He paid well. I needed the money. My mother's medical bills—"
"What did you tell him?" Matteo leaned forward. "Specifically. What information did you provide?"
Max swallowed hard. "Schedules. Who was working when. When shipments came in. When the partners were on premises. When you had meetings. Just—just patterns. Nothing that seemed important."
"How often did you report?"
"Weekly. Through encrypted email. He'd ask questions. I'd answer. The money would appear in my account a few days later."
"When was your last report?" Elio asked.
"Today. He asked about this week's schedule. About whether there were any unusual activities planned. I told him—" Max stopped. Went even paler. "I told him about the emergency meeting this morning. About everyone being called in early."
The room went silent.
Cold dread flooded through me. If Max had reported the emergency meeting, and the FBI was monitoring his communications, they'd know something was happening. They'd know we were onto the moles.
They'd move fast to preserve whatever case they could build.
"Shit," Elio said quietly.
Matteo pulled out his phone. Called someone. "We've got a problem. Morrison reported this morning's meeting to his handler. If the FBI's monitoring—yeah. Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too. How fast can they move?"
He listened. His expression went dark.
"We need to lock down. Now." He hung up. Looked at Elio. "Sandro says there's chatter on police scanners. Multiple federal units mobilizing. They're coming. Today. Probably within the hour."
"We need to clean—"
"There's no time. They've got a warrant. They're already moving." Matteo stood. "Get Stefan somewhere safe. Get Julian—"
The building's alarm system went off. Loud and urgent.
Elio's phone buzzed. He checked it. Looked at me.
"They're here. FBI. Multiple vehicles. Agents assembling outside." His voice was calm but his eyes were intense. "Julian. Come with me. Now."
We ran.
Through hallways I'd never seen before. Down stairs. Through doors that looked like walls until Elio pressed hidden switches.
Behind us I could hear shouting. Doors being forced open. The sounds of a raid beginning.
"Elio—"
"Not now. Just stay with me."
We reached his office. He pulled me inside. Locked the door. Went to the bookshelf on the far wall.
He pressed something. The entire bookshelf swung inward on hidden hinges.
Behind it was a small reinforced room. Maybe eight feet by ten feet. Concrete walls. Steel door. Monitors showing different areas of Inferno. Supplies stacked in the corner. A chair. A small cot.
A safe room.
