In the dark room, Owen pulled his teddy bear tight against his chest.

“Is the bad lady coming to take us back?” he asked.

“No,” I said, kneeling so I was at eye level with him.

“Ryker is not going to let anyone hurt you.”

“We have the proof now.”

Through the door, I heard the heavy thud of the cabin’s front door being forced open.

Deep, authoritative voices echoed through the hallway.

“Hands where I can see them, Mr. Steel!”

“Step away from the desk.”

I held my breath, pressing my ear against the wood of the bedroom door.

“The laptop is yours to inspect, Officer,” I heard Ryker say.

His voice was entirely devoid of fear.

“But you might want to call your supervisor before you touch it.”

“We are currently streaming this entire encounter to the federal prosecutor’s office.”

There was a long silence, filled only by the static of a police radio.

“What are you talking about?” a voice demanded.

“The files on that drive contain evidence of interstate bank fraud and grand larceny,” Ryker said.