We got into Liam’s SUV, and he started the engine.

The drive up into the hills was quiet, the tires humming against the wet mountain road.

I stared out the window at the skeleton-like branches of the oak trees.

My mind went back five years, to the night before the car accident that nearly took my life.

I had found the first set of double-entry books on Ethan’s desk.

I had seen the names of city officials, union leaders, and offshore shell companies.

I had known then that Apex Development was not just a real estate empire, but a laundering machine.

And I had known that if Ethan found out I knew, he would destroy me.

“Are you holding up?” Liam asked, his eyes on the winding road.

“I am,” I said, gripping my seatbelt. “I just want this to be over, Liam.”

“It will be,” he said. “Once we have the original ledger, the federal prosecutor can seal the indictment.”

We turned off the main road onto a gravel path overgrown with weeds.

The tires crunched loudly as we slowed down in front of a small, dark timber cabin.