Chapter 9 - The File That Disappeared
They opened the flash drive at Hannah's apartment.
There were thirty-two folders.
Each contained names.
Payments.
Scholarship records.
Private contracts.
And emails.
Vale's summer camps had been charging wealthy families enormous fees.
In return, certain athletes received preferred evaluations.
Some were given scholarships they had not earned.
Others were placed on teams despite failing academic requirements.
The scheme had operated for four years.
Coach Mercer had signed documents.
Athletic director Keene had approved payments.
Brooke's father had funded several accounts.
Even members of the university administration appeared in the records.
Then Avery found her own name.
She opened the folder.
Inside was a document titled CAPTAIN TRANSITION.
It had been created six weeks earlier.
There were notes about replacing Avery before the next season.
One line stood out.
COLE CONTINUES ASKING FINANCIAL QUESTIONS.
Another read:
Potential disciplinary event may be required.
Hannah covered her mouth.
“They planned your downfall before Lila fell.”
Avery kept scrolling.
Then a second file appeared.
ACCIDENT SCENARIO.
She clicked.
The file vanished.
The entire screen went black.
Hannah jumped up.
“What happened?”
A message appeared.
REMOTE ACCESS DETECTED.
Then folder after folder began deleting.
“Disconnect the internet!”
Hannah yanked the router cable.
Too late.
Half the drive was gone.
Avery stared at the screen.
“They were watching it.”
Hannah removed the flash drive.
“Maybe I can recover deleted files.”
A knock sounded at the door.
Three slow knocks.
Neither woman moved.
Another knock.
Then a man's voice.
“Campus police.”
Avery looked through the peephole.
Two officers stood outside.
One held a document.
“Ms. Cole, we have a warrant regarding stolen university property.”
Hannah whispered, “The drive.”
Avery's blood ran cold.
Someone had reported it.
Someone knew exactly where she was.
She slipped the flash drive into Hannah's coffee can beneath the sink.
Then she opened the door.
The officers entered.
They searched everything.
Avery's backpack.
Her laptop.
Her car.
Even the kitchen cabinets.
One officer stopped beside the sink.
Avery held her breath.
Then his radio crackled.
He turned away.
Ten minutes later, they left with Avery's laptop and phone.
May you like
The flash drive remained hidden.
But when Avery reached beneath the sink afterward, the coffee can was empty.
