He had built an empire on scientific breakthroughs.

Now, his own daughter was being accused of the worst kind of academic fraud.

If I did not get that backup drive, my career was over.

My father’s legacy would not save me.

In fact, I knew his secrets would only drag me down faster if they ever came to light.

I turned onto the winding, tree-lined street of my old subdivision.

The houses here were large, brick colonial-style homes with manicured lawns.

Everything looked perfect from the outside.

I parked two houses down from my former marital home, under the shade of a dying maple tree.

I turned off the ignition.

The silence in the car was deafening.

The house was dark.

Hunter’s silver sedan was not parked in the driveway.

I grabbed my purse, got out of the car, and walked quickly up the wet concrete path.

My boots squeaked on the front porch.

I reached into my bag and pulled out my brass house key.

My hand trembled as I slid it into the lock.

I braced myself, expecting the key to fail.