“He killed her to keep her quiet about the money.”

Sophie reached out and took my hand again, her small grip surprisingly tight.

“Is Mommy safe now?” she asked.

I looked down at her, my heart breaking for the pain she had carried alone for so long.

“Yes, sweetie,” I said, kneeling to hug her. “She’s safe, and you did a very brave thing.”

Over Sophie’s shoulder, I looked at Pierce.

The detective was already dialing a number on his mobile phone, his expression grim.

“We need the original maintenance records from the local dealership,” Pierce said into the phone.

He didn’t wait for the person on the other end to speak.

“Get a warrant for the Caldwell Systems CFO’s personal and business devices immediately.”

He listened for a moment, his eyes fixed on the black leather journal in my hands.

“I don’t care if it’s after hours,” Pierce snapped into the receiver.

“We have a written record from the victim predicting her own death.”

“We are upgrading this to a active homicide investigation.”

The word hung in the cold, damp air of the basement.