Source One by Allyson Simonian Page B

a room paneled in wood.
    They descended stairs into a basement. Sumner carried her across the floor and dropped her onto a bed. Old furniture was scattered across the floor.
    Amber winced as Sumner drew a knife out of his pocket.
    She kicked out her legs. Made contact with his arms.
    Sumner cursed loudly. He stalked around the bed, grabbed her shoulders and shook her hard.
    “I’ll cut you if you try anything like that again. Turn onto your side,” he growled.
    The rope around Amber’s wrists pulled and then loosened. Sumner and Michelle dragged her arms to the bedframe a moment later. They handcuffed her wrists against the brass bars.
    Then they moved away from the bed and went back up the stairs.
    The light switched off.
    Amber moaned and struggled against her bonds.
    ***
    The basement door opened. Footsteps sounded on the staircase.
    Early morning light illuminated Sumner and Michelle’s forms.
    Amber’s heart seized. Were they coming to kill her?
    Panic clawed at her chest .
    Sumner and Michelle stood over her seconds later. Sumner was holding a gun.
    Amber squeezed her eyes shut.
    When she opened them, Sumner was cutting the rope off her ankles. Michelle was uncuffing her wrists.
    Sumner held the gun to Amber’s head. “You can use the bathroom. Don’t try anything stupid.”
    Amber sat up and rubbed her wrists. The gag was still in her mouth.
    Sumner gestured to the bathroom with the gun. “Hurry up.”
    Amber got up. She stumbled as she moved forward.
    Michelle stood in front of the bathroom door while Amber used it. Amber quickly looked around. There were cleaning supplies on the floor.  But absolutely nothing she could use as a weapon.
    “Back on the bed,” Sumner said once she came out.
    Amber fought back a cry as she got back onto the bed.
    Michelle recuffed her. When she finished, Sumner headed toward the staircase.
    Amber drew in a shaky breath. She was being left alive for now.
    Michelle looked down at Amber and sighed. “Do you want some water?”
    Amber nodded.
    Michelle followed Sumner up the stairs.
    A minute later, she was back with a bottle of water. She pulled the gag out of Amber’s mouth. Uncapped the water and held it to Amber’s lips.
    Amber drank long sips. She pulled away when she’d had enough.
    “More?”
    Amber shook her head. “Why are you doing this?” she whispered.
    Michelle stared down at her for long moments.
    Finally, she spoke. “Brian bought Peter out. Then he went on to make millions with the Source One code. It’s time for Peter to get some of the money. The real money.”
    Michelle shook her head. “You were a last resort, Amber. Someone we could use as a scapegoat but only if Brian figured out his code was being resold.”
    She paced and then turned back around. “Why were you in Peter’s files?”
    Amber wet her lips. “I saw you get into his car at the grocery store.”
    Michelle pressed her lips together. “Flat tire,” she muttered.
    Amber closed her eyes. Of all things, her life hung in the balance because of a flat tire.
    When she opened her eyes, Michelle was absently tapping the water bottle against her leg.
    “How long have you planned this?” Amber whispered.
    “I met Peter right after he and Brian parted ways.”
    Three years ago.
    Amber blinked up at Michelle. All the time Michelle had worked for Brian, she and Sumner had been planning to steal from him.
    “Why pretend I’d stolen money from Brian?”
    “You were getting too close to him. You had to be believable as a scapegoat, as someone who hated Brian, in case we needed you.”
    “How did you get into the house?” Amber whispered.
    “Brian keeps a spare key in his office.”
    Amber ’s eyes widened. “And your work with Second Street. That was part of the plan too? To find someone with a criminal background?”
    Michelle nodded and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, Amber. I’m sorry it’s come to this.”
    She pulled the gag back into Amber’s mouth. Then she turned and headed