Flying off on vacation with her boss’s husband, the happy woman waited for him at the airport. Suddenly, a fortune teller touched her hand…

«We have no choice.» But Paul is an honest man. His investigations have led to resignations of officials and criminal cases more than once.

«If anyone can help us, it’s him,» Emily nodded and leaned back in the seat. Ahead was a two-hour drive on an unfamiliar road and three days of waiting in a secluded cabin in the woods. Not the most cheerful prospect, but still better than falling into Victoria’s hands and her backers.

«By the way,» Emily suddenly said, «I’ve been meaning to ask. That fortune teller at the airport. How could she know about us? And that I needed to go back to the office?» Michael frowned.

«What fortune teller?» Emily told him about the strange encounter at the airport. How the young fortune teller approached her, took her hand, and warned of danger. How she advised returning to the office and checking the room.

«If not for her, I’d have boarded the plane and flown away,» Emily concluded. «And never learned about the cameras and bugs in my office.» Michael looked puzzled.

I don’t know who that was or how she could know. Maybe a coincidence? Or he paused? Or what? Or someone wanted you to learn the truth? Someone who knew about Victoria’s plans but couldn’t warn you directly. Emily pondered.

Who could that be? Someone from the office? Someone aware of the fraud but afraid to openly oppose Victoria? In any case, Michael continued, it worked. You returned, found the cameras, and we got evidence of Victoria’s crimes. Maybe it was fate? Emily didn’t believe in fate, but she couldn’t deny that the chain of events leading to this moment was too unpredictable to be mere coincidence.

They continued the drive in silence, each lost in thoughts. Forests and fields flashed by outside, the road becoming narrower and more winding. After two hours, as Paul promised, they reached a small settlement nestled in greenery.

«Seems this is it,» Michael said, checking the drawn map. They turned onto a dirt road, drove a few more kilometers, and stopped at a wooden house surrounded by a high fence. «We’re here,» Michael announced, turning off the engine.

«Our hideout for the next three days.» They got out of the car and approached the gate. The lock was old but sturdy.

Michael opened it with the key they found under the stone, as Paul said. The cabin was more spacious than it looked from outside. Two bedrooms, living room with fireplace, kitchen with stove and modern range.

Old but clean furniture, shelves with books, even a TV, though Michael immediately warned that without satellite, it probably wouldn’t work. «Not bad,» Emily said, looking around. «At least we won’t have to sleep in the car.»

Michael nodded and started checking supplies in the kitchen. Cabinets had canned goods, grains, pasta, tea, and coffee. The fridge was empty—not surprising if Paul hadn’t been here for a while.

«We have enough food for a few days,» he said. «But water we’ll have to get from the well in the yard.» Hope it hasn’t dried up.

Emily went to the window. It overlooked the forest approaching the fence. Quiet, peaceful, safe.

At least it seemed so. «What will we do these three days?» she asked. Michael came and stood next to her.

«Wait.» And hope Paul keeps his word and publishes the investigation as soon as possible, Emily nodded. Waiting was all they had left.

Wait and think about the future, which now looked so uncertain. The three days at Paul’s cabin dragged on agonizingly slow. No internet, no connection to the outside world, no news from the city—time seemed frozen.

Emily spent the days reading books from the shelves or helping Michael with chores. They set up a routine, cooked on the old stove, carried water from the well. Evenings by the fireplace, staring at the fire. They hardly talked about the past; it was too painful.

Instead, they discussed future plans, though both understood how uncertain they were. «If everything goes well,» Michael said, «if Paul’s investigation leads to Victoria’s arrest and her backers, we can return.» Give testimony in court, help the investigation.

And then? Emily asked. What then? Michael shrugged. I don’t know.

Everything will change. Apex Commerce Inc. will probably be closed or reorganized. We’ll have to find new jobs, maybe in another city.

Emily thought about her career. Five years at Apex Commerce Inc., gradual rise from simple analyst to department head. All crossed out in one day, one decision to run off with her boss’s husband.

But did she regret it? Was it worth it? Emily didn’t know. She couldn’t assess the consequences of her actions until it all ended. Until they were safe.

On the third day of their seclusion, Emily woke to the sound of an approaching car. She looked out the window and saw a battered jeep stopping at the gate.

People in uniforms and civilian clothes stood by the porch. Michael. She called.

Police are here. Michael ran from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. Already? He looked at his watch.

Only 8 a.m. Paul said the article would come out in the morning, but I didn’t think the reaction would be so quick. Open up.

Police. The voice came from behind the door again. Michael approached the door.

Who’s there? He asked. FBI. Open the door immediately.

Michael looked at Emily, whispered. Apparently, the article is out. Be ready for questioning.

He opened the door. A man in a strict suit stood on the threshold. Behind him, several officers.

Michael Thompson? The man asked. Yes, that’s me. You’re under arrest on suspicion of fraud on a large scale, the man said in an official tone, showing his badge. I’m Agent Smith.

Leading the case on financial fraud at Apex Commerce Inc. Two officers entered the house and took Michael by the arms. Wait.

Emily stepped forward. There’s some mistake. Michael isn’t a criminal.

He helped expose Victoria Hayes’s fraud. Agent Smith turned to her. Emily Carter? Yes, that’s me. You’re also under arrest on the same suspicion.

Please come with us. We have a warrant for your arrest. Emily froze.

Warrant? But why? We. We handed over evidence. We cooperated with a journalist.

What journalist? Smith asked, raising an eyebrow. Paul. Paul Kuznetsov from an independent publication.

He was supposed to publish an article this morning. Smith shook his head. There’s no article, Ms. Carter.

And no journalist Paul Kuznetsov in any known publications. Emily felt the ground slip away. She turned to Michael, seeking support or explanation.

But she saw the same shock and confusion on his face. But he was here. Yesterday.

Showed us the article on his laptop. Emily exclaimed. We’ll sort out all the details at the station, Smith said firmly.

Now please get ready. You have 5 minutes. Emily slowly went back to the bedroom.

Her hands shook, thoughts tangled. What’s happening? Where’s the article? Where’s Paul? Were they deceived? She dressed quickly and came out to the living room. Michael was already taken outside and seated in one of the police cars.

His face was pale, eyes bewildered. Emily, I don’t understand what’s going on. He shouted when he saw her.

I trusted Paul. He promised to help. The officers seated him in the car and slammed the door.

Agent Smith approached Emily. Time for you too, he said. You’ll ride in another car.

Emily nodded, still not believing the reality. It felt like she’d fallen into some nightmare from which she’d wake any moment. They seated her in another police car, and the convoy moved.

Emily looked out the window at the receding cabin, the forest, the blue sky. Everything looked so normal, so ordinary, yet her life had just shattered. Two hours later, they arrived in the city and stopped at the FBI building.

Emily was led inside, through long corridors, to an interrogation room—a small space with a table, three chairs, and a surveillance camera in the corner. «Sit,» Smith said, pointing to a chair. We’ll start the interrogation now.

Emily sat, feeling completely drained. Everything happening seemed unreal, as if she was observing from the side. «Where’s Michael?» she asked.

«He’s being questioned in the next room,» Smith replied. «Don’t worry, he’s fine.» He took out a folder with documents and opened it.

Emily Carter, financial analyst at Apex Commerce Inc., he began. «You’re suspected of participating in a scheme to withdraw company assets and prepare it for intentional bankruptcy, along with Michael Thompson.» «What can you say in your defense?» Emily took a deep breath…