Chapter 3 - THE SECOND KEY"Freeze my login," Grace said. "Every device, every permission. Right now."
The bank's fraud desk halted the scheduled transfer, but it could not tell them who had created it. Adrián called an emergency meeting of three trustees before dawn. Victoria was told not to contact staff or visit foundation offices. She responded by emailing half the donors that a disgruntled clerk was fabricating records.
Grace rode home with Lana. Her apartment smelled of soap. Her mother, Irene, waited at the table in her slippers.
"I saw your face online."
"Then you saw the part someone wanted you to see."
Irene poured tea into a chipped blue cup. "Your father used to say the truth doesn't always come dressed nicely. Sit down and tell me the ugly version."
Grace did. She explained the five identical Eastline transfers, the missing housing grants, and the foundation's payment system: every outgoing payment needed one preparer and two approvals. Victoria could authorize fundraising expenses, but not restricted grants. Finance chief Peter Voss had the second key.
"So why blame you?" Irene asked.
"Because I'm the preparer they can replace."
At seven, Grace received a message from Peter: COME TO THE OFFICE ALONE. I CAN EXPLAIN THE SIGNATURE.
She forwarded it to Adrián instead of answering. He asked her to meet in the lobby, where Omar would accompany them.
Peter was waiting beside the elevators, tie loose, eyes red. "I didn't know they'd use your credentials," he said before anyone spoke.
"Who is they?" Grace demanded.
Peter looked toward the revolving doors. A courier in a gray uniform had just entered holding a slim black case.
"My token was duplicated," Peter said. "And if that case leaves the building, you won't find the original payment records."
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The courier saw them, turned, and ran.
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