At night, Alina, Austin and Maren met in Austin's study. The door was locked. The desk was covered with Holloway's handwritten papers. Maren had been reading everything in silence.
"We need proof that Ashby is still active," Austin told Maren, the minute she finished reading. "If we accuse him directly, he'll deny everything. Holloway's testimony isn't enough. We need him to expose himself."
Maren nodded, already thinking.
"The payments continued after Holloway retired," Maren said. "That means Ashby still has access the accounts. Either directly or through someone else. If we can force him to use that channel, we'll have proof that he is still involved."
"But how?" Alina asked.
"We need to give him a reason to move money," Maren replied and looked at Alina. "He has been interested in you since the day you arrived. If anyone can do this…it's you."
Alina felt a knot form in her stomach.
"You want me to sit with him and pretend everything is normal?"
Maren nodded.
