My fingers brushed against a stiff leather side pocket near the lining.

I slid my hand inside the narrow opening.

My fingertips met a cold, metallic object.

It was a small, high-capacity USB drive and a folded slip of blue paper.

I slipped both into my tactical jacket pocket before the paramedic looked back around.

“Her vitals are stabilizing,” the paramedic said, checking his clipboard.

“She’s just exhausted,” I replied.

I stroked Lily’s damp hair away from her forehead.

Her small hand twitched in her sleep, her fingers curling around my sleeve.

The ambulance swayed as it took the exit toward the regional medical center.

The blue paper in my pocket felt heavy against my ribs.

I knew what the caller meant about Vanessa being the broker.

She had not just helped Grant hide the money; she had managed the logistics of his disappearance.

The vehicle slowed down, turning into the bright, heated bay of the emergency room.

The doors flew open, and a blast of cold winter air hit my face.

Two nurses wheeling a gurney met us on the concrete ramp.