Val leaned against the edge of the old wooden desk, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The tension in the air was palpable as Doom stared intently at the screen in front of him. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, his expression a mix of concentration and frustration.

"Val, I just need to somehow figure out how to see the transactions," Doom muttered.

Val frowned, confused. 

"Why? The police already told me Kash was the one taking our dad's funds. Why are you trying to prove otherwise?"

Before Doom could answer, Echo stepped into the room, her arms swinging casually at her sides. "Doom, is it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Doom looked up, smirking faintly. "Dakota, actually. Doom's my business name."

Echo nodded thoughtfully. "Well, Dakota, I think I can hack into the transaction history without the password. But good job getting into the account."

Doom stepped back, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Your move." 

Echo didn't waste a moment. She slid into the chair, her fingers flying across the keyboard with a confidence that made Val slightly nervous. Within seconds, a triumphant grin spread across her face.

"We're in!" Echo announced, spinning the chair to face Val.

Val leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as Echo pointed at a highlighted name on the screen: Nicholas Gettson. Her father's account.

"So, your dad's money was transferred to an account under the name Thomas Reynolds," Echo explained.

Val's breath hitched at the name. It rang an unwelcome bell. "Wait. When I was interrogated, the detective said Kash impersonated someone named Thomas Reynolds."

"Right," Echo confirmed, her eyes sharp as she scrolled through more details. "But Thomas Reynolds isn't real. Look here. The Gmail associated with the account?" Echo paused, her tone growing colder. "It belongs to... Noah Nashton."

The words hit Val like a punch. She stared at the screen, trying to process. "Noah?" Her voice wavered. "How did Noah get access to my father's bank account?"

Doom crossed his arms, his jaw tight. "I can think of a way. Noah was Kashs left hand man"

Val nodded slowly, her mind reeling. She felt sick. How had she not seen this coming? Noah had been charming, friendly—even when things grew tense between them. She'd trusted him. She'd liked him. Hell, she'd slept with him after that party.

"Kash is in jail for fraud, but we can show the cops this, right?" Doom asked, breaking the silence.

Val shook her head firmly. "No. Hacking into someone's banking history is a crime too. We need a different kind of proof."

Doom sighed but nodded, clearly understanding the risk.

"Oh, well, at least there's some good news," Val said, glancing at Doom.

Doom gave her a small nod of encouragement, and she turned back to Echo. "Kash is getting out in 29 days."

Echo's eyes widened. "How?"

"Good behavior," Doom chimed in.

Echo let out a long breath, leaning back in her chair. "Well, if that's the case, we don't need proof, right? All you have to do is find Noah and put him in jail. Problem solved."

Doom scoffed. "Jail?"

Val shook her head, her voice quiet but firm. "No. Noah's gotten away with too much. Kash won't settle for anything less than his head brought to headquarters."

"So that's the plan?" Echo asked, raising an eyebrow. "You're just going to kill him?"

"Dakota's right," Val said, ignoring Echo's jab.

Echo shrugged nonchalantly. "Fine. You guys have fun with your murder plans. I'll pass."

Val smirked slightly. "Wow, I thought we were family now."

Echo laughed, standing up and stretching. "I wouldn't kill for anyone. Sorry, sis."

There was no malice in her voice, and Val couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief. They weren't on the same side, but they weren't enemies either.

As Echo left the room, Val turned to Doom. Her mind was already racing with the next steps. Noah's betrayal cut deeper than she'd thought possible, but there was no time to dwell on it. Kash would be out soon, and when he was, things would change. One way or another.