Chapter 13 - Race Against Time
Panic flared inside the underground vault as the heavy hum of the ventilation system died completely. The air grew still, cool, and noticeably thinner with every passing minute.
"Everyone stay calm," Arthur ordered, trying to keep his voice steady despite the rising panic. "Deep, slow breaths. Don't waste oxygen."
Victoria was already at the heavy steel vault door, examining the electronic lock panel. "It's an automated security seal. Controlled by an external server in the building's main control room."
"Our security guards outside must have been neutralized," Sarah whispered, her face pale as she checked her phone. "No signal. The vault's stone walls are blocking all cellular and satellite transmissions."
Leo walked around the perimeter of the room, examining the thick steel construction. He remembered working with tools in small auto repair shops during his months on the street, watching mechanics override electrical relays.
"Grandpa," Leo said, pointing to an exposed junction box near the ceiling where the main power conduit entered the vault door. "The lock uses an electromagnetic solenoid. If the power supply is cut directly at the relay, the lock defaults to an emergency open state for fire safety."
Victoria looked at Leo in surprise. "Are you sure?"
"It's standard UK commercial fire code," Leo explained quickly. "If a building catches fire, vaults are designed to fail-open so people don't get trapped inside. We just need to short-circuit that junction box!"
Arthur stepped forward. "How do we reach it?"
Leo pushed a heavy steel table directly under the junction box. "I can reach it if I stand on your shoulders, Grandpa."
"Be careful, Leo," Arthur said, getting into position.
Leo climbed onto Arthur's shoulders, reaching up toward the metal junction box. Using a heavy silver pen from Victoria's briefcase, Leo carefully unscrewed the metal faceplate, exposing a cluster of red and blue electrical wires.
"I need something metal to bridge the main relay," Leo said, his breathing getting heavier as the oxygen levels in the room plummeted.
He reached down into his collar and pulled off his mother's silver pendant.
"Leo, no!" Arthur said softly. "That was your mother's!"
"Mom would want me to use it to save us," Leo said firmly.
Holding the silver half-moon pendant by its leather strap, Leo carefully jammed the solid silver metal directly across the primary copper terminals inside the junction box.
SPARK!
A bright flash of blue electrical sparks erupted from the box, illuminating the dim room. A loud metallic CLACK echoed through the heavy door frame as the electromagnetic lock disengaged.
"It worked!" Victoria yelled.
Arthur slammed his weight against the heavy vault door, pushing it wide open. Crisp, fresh air rushed into the vault, and everyone stumbled out into the hallway, gasping for breath.
"No time to rest," Arthur panted, wiping sweat from his forehead. "We have to get to the airport!"
They rushed through the building, finding the local vault staff tied up in the manager's office but unharmed. After freeing them, Victoria called her private security team, who secured a police escort to London Stansted Airport.
Three hours later, the Vance private jet was airborne once again, screaming across the Atlantic Ocean toward Boston.
Inside the cabin, Leo sat by the window holding his silver pendant, which now bore a small black scorch mark on its edge. He polished it gently with his sleeve.
"You're incredible, Leo," Victoria said, sitting across from him with a warm smile. "Your mother would be so immensely proud of you."
Leo looked out at the endless blue sky above the clouds. "We're not done yet, Victoria. Belmont tried to kill us. Now it's time to end his empire for good."
Sarah looked up from her satellite terminal, her face glowing with excitement. "Arthur, the Swiss regulators just released a global press statement. They've issued an international arrest warrant for Lord Edward Belmont for systemic fraud and attempted murder!"
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Arthur looked at Leo, a proud, sharp smile breaking across his face. "Hold onto your seat, Belmont," Arthur whispered. "The final round belongs to us.
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