“He agrees,” I told her. “But you have to give me the drive now, and you have to sign the formal agreement tomorrow at his office.”

Kayla stared at the drive under her hand.

She looked terrified.

Slowly, she slid her hand back, leaving the drive on the table.

“Don’t let him destroy me, Avery,” she said. “I have a baby coming.”

“I don’t want to destroy you, Kayla,” I said, picking up the drive. “I just want what is mine.”

She stood up, pulled her coat around her, and walked out of the diner without another word.

I sat there for a minute, holding the small piece of plastic in my hand.

Then I paid the bill and drove straight to Jerome’s office.

The rain was coming down harder now, washing over the windshield in heavy sheets.

When I arrived, Jerome’s assistant ushered me immediately into the back conference room.

Jerome was already there, his laptop open, a stack of folders spread out across the polished wood table.

He looked up as I entered.

“Did you get it?” he asked.

I held up the thumb drive.