My sibling recommended that I set up a surveillance device in our home prior to departing on a one-month professional journey to a different town. I chose to heed his suggestion…

Michael, do you work for him? All this time? Yes. Three years. I couldn’t tell you.

Official secret. Sorry. And you knew about John’s plans? That’s why you advised to install the listening device.

Yes. I tried to protect you. Wanted you to learn the truth before it’s too late.

His voice sounded sincere. But something was wrong. Some tension, unnaturalness.

Michael, are you? Are you safe? Pause. Too long. Yes, of course.

Everything is fine. I’m just worried about you. Do what Mark Ashford says.

He knows how to do right. Something was definitely wrong. Michael never called people by name and patronymic in conversation with me.

Never spoke so formally, so learned. Michael, tell me, what was our dog’s name in childhood? Another pause. Emily, what strange questions? We have more serious problems now than memories of childhood.

We never had a dog. I checked if it’s really Michael. And now I knew the answer.

Yes, you’re right. Sorry. Just nervous.

When will you arrive tomorrow? In the morning. Around 10. I’ll come to you immediately.

And now I have to go. Take care of yourself. And remember what I said.

Trust Mark Ashford. He disconnected. I returned the phone to Ian.

Thank you. Ian nodded, went out, closed the door. Lock click, I sat on the bed.

So, this was not Michael. Or Michael, but spoke under duress. In any case, I couldn’t trust this conversation.

Couldn’t trust Mark. Perhaps, and Michael is not here, and won’t be. Perhaps, all this is lie, manipulation, attempt to force me to cooperate.

But why? What does Mark really need? If he knows about John’s plans, why not just arrest him? Why not go to the police? Why does he need me specifically? Too many questions, too few answers. I lay on the bed, closed my eyes. Need to rest, gather my thoughts.

Tomorrow is an important day. If Michael really arrives, I can talk to him, understand what’s going on. If not, I’ll have to make a decision myself.

The morning started with a knock on the door. I opened my eyes, not immediately understanding where I am. Then remembered.

Mark’s house, locked room, tangled situation with husband and brother. Yes? I responded, sitting on the bed. The door opened.

The same woman who invited me to dinner yesterday entered. Good morning, Anastasia Sergeevna. Breakfast will be served in half an hour in the small dining room.

Mark Ashford asked to convey that your brother will arrive at eleven. And meanwhile, this is for you. She handed me a package.

Inside was clothing. Jeans, t-shirt, underwear. All new, with tags.

And my size. From where? Mark Ashford ordered. He assumed you would want to change.

The bathroom is there, all necessary toiletries are there. I’ll come for you in half an hour. She went out, leaving the door unlocked.

This was something new. They no longer keep me locked up? Or is this just a gesture of trust? I decided not to tempt fate and not try to escape. Yet.

First, need to figure out the situation, understand what’s really going on. And if Michael really arrives, talk to him. Took a shower, changed into new clothes.

Brushed my teeth with a new brush. Everything was thought out, all my needs taken into account. Like in a good hotel.

Or in a very comfortable prison. Half an hour later, as promised, the woman returned. Ready? Follow me to the dining room.

I followed her. We descended the stairs, passed through the hall, ended up in a small cozy room. Here the table was set for breakfast.

Mark was already waiting for me. Good morning, Anastasia Sergeevna. Hope you slept well? Thank you, not bad.

Sit down. Coffee, tea? Coffee, please. I sat at the table.

The waiter poured me coffee. The breakfast was abundant. Scrambled eggs, toasts, cheese, ham, fruits.

I wasn’t hungry, but forced myself to eat. Need forces. Your brother will be here at eleven.

We have time to talk. About what? About your decision. Will you help us stop John? I sipped coffee, trying to buy time.

I’m still not sure I can trust you. That call yesterday. It was not Michael.

Or Michael, but spoke under duress. Mark raised his eyebrows. Interesting statement.

Why do you think so? I checked. Asked a question that the real Michael would know the answer to. He couldn’t answer.

Mark smiled. For the first time, I saw a sincere, non-business smile on his face. Clever.

Very clever. That’s why we need you, Anastasia Sergeevna. You are observant, you know how to analyze the situation, you don’t succumb to manipulations.

Even in a stressful situation, you maintain clarity of mind. So you admit that it was not Michael? I admit. It was one of my employees.

I wanted to check you. Understand if you can be trusted. You passed the check.

And you don’t want to trust me? You continue to lie, manipulate? It was necessary. I had to be sure. In what? In that I will help you catch my own husband.

In that I won’t warn him, won’t betray you. Exactly. You love him, despite everything.

Seven years of marriage, it’s not a joke. Naturally, I had doubts. I shook my head.

This person was unbearable. Cold, calculating, manipulative. But perhaps that’s why he achieved success in business.

And now you are telling the truth? Michael really will arrive at 11? Yes. This is the truth. He flew early in the morning, now driving from the airport.

Will be here about 11. You can check. He handed me the phone.

Modern smartphone, not that old model Ian came with yesterday. Call him. Right now.

Check. I took the phone, dialed Michael’s number. Beeps.

One, second, third. Hello. His voice.

Real, without tension, without falseness. Michael? It’s me, Emily. Emily, are you okay? Where are you? In Mark Ashford’s house.

You know where it is? Yes, of course. I’m already driving there. Will be in about an hour.

Are you okay? Are they not offending you? No, everything is normal. They feed me well, gave clean clothes. But keep locked up.

This is for your safety. Don’t be angry at Mark Ashford. He wants to help.

You really work for him? Three years? Yes. Sorry I didn’t tell earlier. Couldn’t.

Official secret. And you knew about John’s plans? That’s why you advised to install the listening device. Yes.

I tried to protect you. Wanted you to learn the truth before it’s too late. The same words as yesterday on the phone.

But now they sounded sincere, natural. Michael, tell me, what was our first teacher’s name? Mary Johnson. Emily, what questions? Are you checking me? Correct answer.

This is really Michael. Yes, sorry. Yesterday some person called me, posed as you.

I understood that it’s a deception. What? Who called? Mark Ashford, you know about this? The last question was addressed not to me. So, Mark heard our conversation.

Speakerphone? Yes, this was my initiative. Check. Anastasia Sergeevna passed it brilliantly.

I’m impressed. Mark’s voice, audible through the phone. Yes, speakerphone.

Have you lost your mind? Why these games? My sister is already scared, confused. And you arrange checks for her? Michael was angry. It was audible in his voice.

So, he didn’t know about the check. So, he wasn’t in cahoots with Mark on this issue. This was encouraging.

Michael, when will you arrive? I asked, trying to defuse the situation. In about 40 minutes. Wait for me.

And don’t agree to anything until I arrive. Okay? Okay. See you.

Hold on. He disconnected. I returned the phone to Mark.

Satisfied? He asked, putting the phone in his pocket. Yes. This was really Michael.

And he is really driving here. I told you. But this doesn’t mean I trust you.

Too much lie, too much manipulation. I understand. But sometimes lie is necessary.

Especially when lives of people are at stake. Lives. You talked about money, about the company’s reputation.

What do lives have to do with it? Mark paused, as if deciding whether to speak further. Anastasia Sergeevna, you are a smart woman. You must understand that it’s not just about corporate fraud.

Two billion dollars is not the amount that can be just stolen and left. For such money, they kill. And John understands this perfectly.

That’s why he so thoroughly plans his escape. New documents, new appearance, country without extradition. He knows he will be searched.

And not only by police. Are you threatening him? Not I. There are investors who entrusted us their money. People for whom 2 billion is not just numbers in a bank report.

This is their life, their business, their future. If these money disappear, they won’t wait until the police find the guilty. They will find them themselves.

And punish. In their own way. He spoke calmly, but his words chilled.

I began to understand what story John got into. And what story I got into myself, even not suspecting it. And what do you propose, the same as yesterday.

You return to New York, to your husband. Say that the business trip ended earlier. Behave as usual, unsuspecting wife.

And at the same time help us collect information about his plans. Details, dates, names of accomplices. Everything that will help us stop him before he does the irreparable.

And in exchange? In exchange, I guarantee safety. To you, John, your entire family. I will make sure the money is returned to investors, and your husband gets off with minimal punishment.

Perhaps even avoid prison. Everything can be solved if acted correctly and timely. I looked at him, trying to understand if he is telling the truth.

Or is this another manipulation? Why do you care so much about John? He plans to deceive you, steal a huge sum. Why do you want him to avoid punishment? Mark smiled, but this time his smile was sad. I know John for five years.

Saw how he grew professionally, how he developed. He is talented, smart, ambitious. Too ambitious, as it turned out.

But I believe that people can change, can realize their mistakes. Especially if there is the right person nearby. Such as you.

I didn’t know what to answer. His words sounded sincere. But can he be believed? I’ll think.

When Michael arrives, we’ll discuss everything. Of course. You have time until tomorrow.

Then I will have to act, regardless of your decision. We finished breakfast in silence. Then I was escorted back to the room.

This time the door was not locked. A small sign of trust. I sat on the bed, trying to gather my thoughts.

Michael will arrive soon. We’ll talk, decide what to do next. And now I can only wait.

Time dragged slowly. I walked around the room, looked out the window, tried to distract myself. Finally, about 11, knock on the door.

Yes, the door opened. On the threshold stood Michael. My brother, my protector, my closest person.

I rushed to him, hugged tightly. Michael! Finally! He hugged me in response, and for a moment it seemed to me that everything will be fine. That we will cope, find a way out of this tangled situation.

Emily, forgive me. For all this. I should have told you everything right away, not play these spy games with the listening device.

But I was afraid you wouldn’t believe. Would think that I’m just slandering John out of some jealousy or envy. It’s okay.

I understand. You wanted the best. We sat on the bed.

Michael looked tired, haggard. It was visible that he didn’t sleep all night. Tell me everything, I asked. From the beginning.

How did you get involved in all this story? Michael sighed, ran his hand through his hair. Three years ago, I was offered a job at Argos company. Good money, interesting tasks.

I agreed. Quickly realized that this is not an ordinary investment company. More precisely, not only investment.

Mark has many different businesses, different interests. Including not quite legal. Is he a criminal? Not quite.

Let’s say, he is a person who doesn’t always play by the rules. But he is not a gangster, not a killer. He is a businessman who sometimes crosses the law if it’s profitable for the cause.

And you work for such a person? You, always so principled, so honest. Michael smiled embarrassedly. Life is more complicated than it seems, Emily.

Not everything is black or white. There are many shades of gray. Mark is not ideal, but he is fair.

He pays well, appreciates professionalism, cares about his people. And yes, sometimes he violates the law. But never harms the innocent.

I shook my head. Didn’t recognize my brother. Before, he was so principled, so uncompromising.

And now justifies a person who sometimes violates the law. Okay, this is your choice. But what do I have to do with it? What does John have to do with it? John also works for Mark.

For five years already. Started as an ordinary analyst, now deputy director of finance. Very capable, very ambitious.

Too ambitious, as it turned out. Did you know him all this time? Knew where he works, what he does? Yes. Since I came to the company.

But couldn’t tell you. Official secret. Moreover, John himself asked not to tell you.

Said he doesn’t want to involve you in his affairs, wants to protect. Protect? From what? From the truth. From knowledge of what he really does.

Not only legal investing, if you understand what I mean. I understood. Too well understood. And what happened? Why did he decide to betray Mark, steal money, I don’t know exactly.

Perhaps decided that he deserves more. Perhaps tired of being always second, always on the sidelines. Perhaps the influence of this woman, Helen.

She has been processing him for a long time, suggesting that he is undervalued, that he can get more. You know Helen? Saw her several times. They didn’t particularly hide lately.

Thought no one knows, but in our company it’s hard to keep something secret. Too many eyes, too many ears. And how long? How long have they been together? Michael paused, obviously not wanting to cause me pain.

About a year. Maybe a little more. A year.

A whole year John cheated on me, met with another woman. And I noticed nothing. Blind, trusting fool.

And when did you learn about his plans? About stealing money, about escape, about a month ago. Accidentally intercepted his correspondence with some specialist on forged documents. Got alerted, started monitoring.

Then heard a conversation with Helen. They discussed details, sums, deadlines. I reported to Mark.

He decided not to hurry with the arrest, to gather more information. Find out who else is involved, where the money is, how they plan to withdraw them. And then you decided to connect me.

Advised to install the listening device. Yes. I knew you were offered a business trip to San Francisco.

It was the perfect opportunity. You leave, John relaxes, starts talking more freely. We get information.

And you? You learn the truth about your husband. The truth you deserve to know. I nodded.

Everything fit. But it didn’t make it easier. And what now? What does Mark suggest I do? Return to New York.

Pretend you know nothing. Gather information about John’s plans. Help stop him before he does the irreparable.

And in exchange, safety. For you, John, the whole family. Mark will make sure the money is returned to investors, and John gets off with minimal punishment.

Perhaps even avoid prison. The same words Mark told me. Word for word.

This alarmed. And if I refuse? Michael sighed. Then Mark will act himself.

Arrest John, hand the case to the police. John will go to prison for a long term. The article «Serious fraud» in particularly large size.

This is at least 5 years, maximum 10. And you think I should agree? Help the person who betrayed me, cheated on me, planned to leave? I think you should do what you think is right. But remember, Emily, this is still John.

The person you loved for 7 years. The father of your future children. Perhaps he deserves a second chance.

I shook my head. Didn’t recognize my brother. Before, he was so principled, so uncompromising.

And now persuades me to forgive the traitor, help him avoid deserved punishment. Michael, what’s with you? Why are you protecting him? After everything he did? The brother averted his gaze. I’m not protecting him.

I’m thinking about you. About your future. About how you will live further, if John ends up in prison.

You know how people treat wives of convicts. Especially for such articles. Condemnation, contempt, pity.

This will haunt you for years. And if you help Mark, everything can be solved quietly, without scandal, without public humiliation. He spoke sincerely, with pain.

I saw that he really worries about me. But something was wrong. Something alarmed me in his words, in his behavior.

I’ll think, I said finally. I need time. Of course.

But don’t drag too long. Time is short. John plans to act in a week.

On the 14th, I nodded. The strange behavior of my brother worried me more and more. He seemed to repeat Mark’s words, as if learned by some script.

Michael, can I trust you? He looked at me with surprise. Of course. I’m your brother.

I’m always on your side. And you really work for Mark? Of your own free will? Yes. This is a good job, interesting.

And Mark is a good boss, fair. Despite some features of his business. I nodded.

Perhaps I suspect my brother in vain. Perhaps he really just worries about me, wants to help. Good.

I’ll think everything over and give an answer tomorrow. Excellent. And now, perhaps we’ll take a walk? The garden is beautiful here, fresh air.

It’s useful for you. I agreed. We left the room, descended the stairs, passed through the hall, to the exit to the garden.

The guard at the entrance looked at us attentively, but didn’t stop. Apparently, Michael had access. The garden was really beautiful.

Well-groomed paths, trimmed bushes, flower beds. We walked slowly, enjoying the fresh air and relative freedom. How long have you known Mark? I asked, trying to get my brother talking.

Three years. Since I came to the company? And immediately became his trusted person? No, of course. First was an ordinary employee.

Then gradually earned trust. Solved complex tasks, proved his usefulness. Now I head the information security department.

Important position. And it doesn’t bother you. The specifics of his business? Michael paused, as if choosing words.

Bothers, of course. I’m not naive, Emily. I understand that not everything Mark does is legal.

But in this world, it’s hard to stay clean and achieve success. Especially in America. Especially in business.

Sometimes you have to choose the lesser evil. And Mark is the lesser evil? Yes. He’s not ideal, but he’s honest with his people…