Page 93 of Only the Devil
There, near the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the quad, is Phillip Sterling himself. His silver hair is perfectly styled, his charcoal suit likely cost more than many people’s monthly rent, and that practiced smile is fixed like a creepy mask. Surrounded by admirers, he bobs along to whatever praise he’s receiving.
My stomach clenches. This man destroyed lives — retirees who trusted him with their life savings. And if I’m right about the murders…
I force myself to look away before my stare becomes obvious and instead focus on the digital displays advertising the symposium: “The Future of Cryptocurrency: Innovation and Ethics in Digital Finance.” Oh, the irony.
“Ms. Jonas?”
A young woman with a clipboard and an eager smile is at my side. “I’m Sarah, one of the event coordinators. Mr. Sterling requested to meet with you before his presentation. Would you mind following me?”
My heart rate spikes, but I keep my face neutral. “Of course.”
This isn’t part of the plan. Quinn’s voice echoes in my head: Sterling won’t know who altered his presentation.
As Sarah leads me through the crowd toward Sterling’s inner circle, I spot a familiar figure near the auditorium entrance. Jake stands with perfect military posture, scanning the room. When our eyes meet for a split second, he gives the subtlest wink — so quick I might have imagined it, but no. He’s got my back. And that wink reminds me: I’m his girl.
That tiny gesture steadies me more than any pep talk could. Jake is here. The team is in position. I can do this.
All I have to do is act normal. Or, well, like a suit.
The crowd parts as we approach Sterling, and I find myself face-to-face with the man whose world is about to implode. He won’t suspect me. Surely he won’t. He gave me a twelve-million-dollar salary.
“Ah, Ms. Jonas,” Sterling says, extending a manicured hand. “Having a good morning?”
Before I can answer, he adds, “Nervous?”
“Why would I be?” I smile, and hope it covers the tremor in my voice. “I’m not presenting. You’re going to do a great job.”
His smile widens into something that makes my skin crawl.
A man I don’t know — carrying an audio pack — leans in and guides Sterling up onto the stage. There’s a podium, a potted fern, and four chairs to the side. Behind the open curtains hangs a white screen for the presentation.
“Come on. We’ll wait in the back,” Sarah says. She leads me through a side door and pulls me behind the stage into a narrow area protected by the long velvet curtain. We’re looking straight onto the stage.
“We’re running behind. He needs to get started,” she says.
My stomach knots.
The announcer begins asking everyone to take their seats. Sterling stands near the stage, smiling, hands at his sides—a man who believes he’s on top of the world.
“It’s my great pleasure to introduce our keynote speaker, Phillip Sterling,” the announcer says.
I spin to find a seat in the audience, but Sarah grips my arm. “You need to stay here.”
I start to protest, but she cuts me off. “He wants to introduce you.”
She looks at me like I’m a lunatic. In reality, I’m on the verge of vomiting.
Before Sarah can answer me, Sterling’s voice fills the hall. “Before I give my presentation, I’d like to introduce a recent brilliant addition to our team. I’m not just boasting about our hiring prowess either. I want her on stage to answer questions. She’s one of the most respected minds in AI, credited with developing ARGUS, and I’m thrilled to announce she’s now our chief technology officer. Please welcome Daisy Jonas.”
Applause floods the auditorium — so loud I wish I had earplugs.
I didn’t agree to present. No one mentioned this part of the plan. This is insane.
Something hard pushes my back and I stumble forward. “Go,” Sarah hisses, glaring as she motions me onto the stage.
The applause dwindles to scattered claps as I step out from behind the curtain and stare at a sea of suits and faces blurred into shapes.
“Here she is,” Sterling announces with the pride of a circus director. “What Ms. Jonas did for ARGUS, she’ll do for us. Sit back and prepare to take notes — we are going to alter the dynamics of investing.”
