Chapter 4: The Bait is Set

Marcus Thorne strutted through the Apex Consulting offices like a peacock in an Armani suit, his chest puffed out with self-importance. The reason for his swagger was immediately apparent—clutched in his manicured hand was his phone, displaying an email that had arrived just twenty minutes earlier.

"Vance!" he bellowed across the bullpen, loud enough for half the office to hear. "Drop whatever you're doing. We've got an emergency."

Leo looked up from his computer, feigning mild concern while internally savoring the moment. He'd been expecting this call since Sienna Ross had texted him the coded message an hour ago: Package delivered. Show begins in 3, 2, 1...

"What's the situation, Marcus?"

Marcus waved his phone like a trophy. "Julian Croft wants an emergency meeting. Tomorrow. At his headquarters." He paused for dramatic effect, clearly enjoying the attention from nearby associates. "Apparently there's some 'critical strategic issue' that requires immediate senior partner attention."

Leo raised an eyebrow, playing his part perfectly. "That sounds serious. Did he mention what kind of issue?"

"Competitive intelligence, market positioning—the usual high-level stuff you wouldn't understand." Marcus's dismissive wave was exactly the kind of condescending gesture Leo had endured for years. "Point is, I need you to prepare a comprehensive presentation. Full market analysis, competitive landscape, three-year projections—the works."

"When do you need it by?"

"We fly out tonight. Red-eye to San Jose." Marcus was practically vibrating with excitement. "This is exactly the kind of face-time that separates the senior partners from the worker bees, Vance. Julian Croft doesn't call emergency meetings for just anyone."

No, Leo thought, he certainly doesn't.

"I'll get right on it," Leo said, already turning back to his computer. "Should I book the flights, or—"

"Already handled. First class, naturally. Can't have Julian thinking we're some budget operation." Marcus straightened his tie with obvious pride. "This is big, Vance. The kind of meeting that makes careers."

It certainly is, Leo mused as Marcus strode away, already barking orders at his assistant about rearranging his schedule. If only Marcus knew that his career was about to be made in a very different way than he expected.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of carefully orchestrated preparation. Leo assembled a presentation that looked comprehensive but was deliberately generic—exactly the kind of work that would make Marcus look unprepared when Julian inevitably asked probing questions. Meanwhile, he fielded a series of seemingly innocent text messages that were anything but.

S: Weather looks perfect for flying tonight. Forecast shows smooth sailing ahead.

L: Confirmed. Passenger seems excited about the destination.

S: Excellent. Ground crew is ready for arrival. Everything will proceed exactly as planned.

The coded language was Sienna's idea—a precaution in case anyone at Apex Consulting was monitoring communications. But Leo found himself oddly thrilled by the cloak-and-dagger nature of their conspiracy. For the first time in his career, he wasn't just reacting to events; he was helping orchestrate them.

At 4 PM, his phone rang. Unknown number, but he recognized the caller immediately.

"Leo, darling," came Sienna's crisp voice, though she was speaking loud enough that nearby colleagues could overhear. "I'm calling from Mr. Croft's office regarding tomorrow's meeting. Just wanted to confirm a few logistical details."

"Of course," Leo replied, matching her professional tone. "What do you need to know?"

"Will Mr. Thorne be requiring any special accommodations? Dietary restrictions, seating preferences, that sort of thing?" There was something almost playful in her voice, like she was enjoying a private joke.

"I don't believe so. Marcus is pretty adaptable." Leo paused, then added, "Though he does appreciate being... recognized for his contributions."

Sienna's laugh was like crystal chiming. "Oh, I'm quite certain Mr. Croft will give Mr. Thorne exactly the recognition he deserves. In fact, I suspect tomorrow's meeting will be rather memorable for him."

After she hung up, Leo noticed several colleagues glancing his way with newfound interest. Being personally called by Julian Croft's Chief of Staff was the kind of thing that got noticed in a place like Apex Consulting. For once, Leo didn't mind the attention.

The flight to San Jose was a study in contrasts. Marcus held court in first class, regaling Leo with war stories about previous high-stakes client meetings while sipping champagne and making increasingly grandiose predictions about how this emergency session would cement his status as Julian's primary contact.

"The key, Vance, is reading the room," Marcus pontificated, gesturing with his glass. "Clients like Julian appreciate boldness, vision, the ability to see the big picture. It's not enough to just crunch numbers—you have to understand the human element, the psychology of power."

Leo nodded along, privately marveling at Marcus's complete lack of self-awareness. The man was literally flying toward his own professional execution while lecturing on business psychology.

"I imagine Julian must really trust your judgment," Leo said carefully, "to call an emergency meeting like this."

Marcus preened. "Trust is the foundation of any successful client relationship. Julian knows I'll always give him straight talk, even when it's not what he wants to hear." He took another sip of champagne. "That's what separates true advisors from yes-men."

The irony is almost too perfect, Leo thought.

They landed in San Jose just after midnight, checking into a downtown hotel that screamed expense account luxury. Marcus immediately ordered room service—apparently emergency client meetings required prime rib and a bottle of Macallan—while Leo retreated to his own room to review their presentation one final time.

His phone buzzed with a message from Sienna: Sleep well. Tomorrow should be quite educational.

Leo found himself staring at the text longer than necessary, analyzing the precise wording, the subtle confidence behind it. He'd only spoken to Sienna Ross twice, but already he was fascinated by her—the way she could convey both professionalism and conspiracy in a single sentence, the hint of steel beneath her polished exterior.

The next morning dawned crisp and clear, San Francisco Bay sparkling in the distance as their Uber wound through Silicon Valley toward Croft Industries' headquarters. Marcus spent the ride alternately checking his reflection and offering last-minute advice about presentation technique.

"Remember, Vance, I'll handle the strategic discussion. Just stick to the data when I call on you. And for God's sake, don't volunteer any opinions unless specifically asked. Julian's paying for senior partner insight, not analyst speculation."

"Understood," Leo replied, watching the familiar landscape roll by. Somewhere in this maze of glass and steel, Sienna Ross was putting the finishing touches on Marcus's trap.

Croft Industries' headquarters was a monument to understated power—sleek lines, sustainable materials, and an atrium that soared forty feet toward a glass ceiling. The reception area buzzed with the quiet efficiency of a well-oiled machine, staffed by impossibly polished professionals who managed to convey both warmth and the subtle message that this was not a place for the unworthy.

"Marcus Thorne and Leo Vance from Apex Consulting," Marcus announced to the receptionist with just a hint too much volume. "We have an appointment with Mr. Croft."

The young woman's smile was perfectly calibrated. "Of course, Mr. Thorne. Ms. Ross will be down to escort you momentarily."

Leo felt his pulse quicken. In just a few minutes, he would finally meet the woman who had become his co-conspirator, the architect of Marcus's impending downfall. Part of him was nervous about maintaining their deception face-to-face, but a larger part was genuinely curious about the person behind the crisp voice and carefully coded messages.

The elevator chimed, and Sienna Ross stepped into the lobby.

Leo's first thought was that no photograph could have done her justice. Tall and elegant in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, she moved with the kind of confidence that came from wielding real power. Her dark hair was pulled back in a style that was both professional and subtly striking, and when her eyes met Leo's, he caught a flash of intelligence so sharp it was almost intimidating.

"Mr. Thorne, Mr. Vance," she said, extending her hand with a smile that managed to be both welcoming and completely unreadable. "Sienna Ross. Mr. Croft is looking forward to your discussion."

Marcus practically preened under her attention. "The pleasure is ours, Ms. Ross. I have to say, Julian's timing couldn't be better. I've been developing some thoughts on market positioning that I think he'll find quite valuable."

"I'm certain he will," Sienna replied smoothly. When she shook Leo's hand, her grip lingered just a fraction longer than necessary, and he caught the ghost of a conspiratorial smile. "Shall we head up? Mr. Croft dislikes being kept waiting."

As they rode the elevator toward the executive floors, Leo found himself studying Sienna's reflection in the polished steel doors. She stood perfectly poised, making polite conversation with Marcus while her eyes occasionally flicked to Leo with an expression he couldn't quite read. Professional assessment? Shared anticipation? Something else entirely?

"I should mention," Sienna said as they approached the executive floor, "Mr. Croft may seem quite casual at first, but he has a tendency to ask very specific questions. He appreciates... precision in his business relationships."

Marcus chuckled. "Don't worry, Ms. Ross. I've been managing high-stakes client relationships since before Leo here was out of college. Julian and I understand each other."

Sienna's smile was radiant. "I'm sure you do, Mr. Thorne. In fact, I suspect today's meeting will clarify that understanding considerably."

The elevator doors opened, revealing a corridor lined with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of Silicon Valley. At the far end, double doors stood open to what was obviously Julian Croft's domain.

"Gentlemen," Sienna said, gesturing them forward, "welcome to the stage."

As they walked toward those open doors, Leo felt the weight of the moment settling on his shoulders. Somewhere ahead, Julian Croft was waiting to spring their carefully orchestrated trap. Marcus strode confidently beside him, completely unaware that he was walking toward his own professional execution.

And behind them, Sienna Ross followed with the quiet satisfaction of a master chess player watching her opponent's king move into checkmate.

The game was about to begin.