He spun on his heel and walked out of the room, his leather shoes clicking loudly on the linoleum floor.

The two police officers looked at me, then at each other.

“Do you need us to stay outside, ma’am?” the older officer asked.

“No, thank you,” I said. “The hospital security is already watching the floor.”

They nodded and followed Pendelton out, closing the heavy wooden door behind them.

The room became very quiet again.

I let out a long, slow breath, my shoulders finally dropping from their tense position.

The pain in my cheek flared up, a hot, throbbing sensation that made my eye water.

I picked up my phone and opened the text from Rachel again.

*The vault is locked. They are doing a system reboot. I can’t get into the box.*

I typed a quick reply: *It doesn’t matter. The electronic freeze worked. Ethan is locked out of the accounts.*

I paused, my thumb hovering over the screen.

I knew Ethan.

I knew how he reacted when he was backed into a corner.

He wouldn’t just give up and wait for the court hearing.