The screen lit up with an incoming call.

It was Uncle Michael.

I let it ring, the vibration buzzing against my palm.

“He’s calling again,” Mara observed.

“He wants to clean this up,” I said.

“He wants to protect the family name.”

“But he’s not protecting me.”

The ringing stopped, only to be replaced a second later by a text notification.

*Elizabeth, we need to talk before you make a mistake you can’t undo. I am at the house with Daniel. We are waiting for you.*

I showed the screen to Mara.

Her face went pale.

“They’re already there,” she said.

“They’re waiting for me,” I corrected.

“They think I’ll come to negotiate.”

“They think they can convince me to drop the assault charges to save the family.”

“Are you going?” Mara asked.

“I have to,” I said.

“But not to negotiate.”

I gripped the phone tightly.

“I need that green folder.”

“And I need to make sure they don’t destroy it before I can get to the police.”

I turned and walked back toward the elevators, my heart pounding in my ears.