I scrambled down the back porch stairs into the alley.

My truck was parked two blocks away, hidden behind an abandoned warehouse.

I kept the manila folder tucked firmly under my arm.

The paper was getting damp from the light flurry of snow that had begun to fall.

I ran through the shadows, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

Behind me, the back door of my mother’s house remained dark.

Nobody followed me into the alley, but I knew they wouldn’t need to.

Vance had the law on his side, or at least the version of it my mother could buy.

I reached my truck, unlocked the door, and threw myself inside.

I started the engine and turned the heater on high.

My hands were shaking so hard I could barely grip the steering wheel.

I opened the folder on the passenger seat and turned on the dome light.

I flipped to the second page of the medical report.

It was written on official hospital letterhead from the very facility where Megan was sleeping right now.

The signature at the bottom belonged to Dr. Robert Chen.