“We are going to offer you a deal,” Nora said.

“A deal that keeps you out of a maximum-security prison,” Richard added.

Vale looked between the two of them, a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“What do I have to do?” Vale asked.

“You are going to help us get that original document,” Nora said.

“And then you are going to testify against Margaret Whitmore in a court of law,” I said.

Vale stared at me, the reality of what we were asking sinking in.

“She will destroy me,” Vale said. “You don’t know what she is capable of when she is cornered.”

“Neither do you,” Richard said, his voice low and dangerous.

The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to feel on my skin.

Outside, the gray morning light was finally beginning to filter through the trees.

Nora opened a draft agreement on her screen and began typing.

Vale watched the keys move, his face pale and drained of all color.

Suddenly, Richard’s phone on the desk began to vibrate, the loud buzz startling all of us.