“We have the digital forensics from Melanie’s phone,” Sarah said.

She laid the papers on my lap.

They were printouts of text messages and bank transactions.

“And we have your journal, Grace,” Sarah said. “The timeline matches perfectly.”

I ran my fingers over the edge of the paper.

“What happens now?” I asked.

“I have already filed the formal charges with the county prosecutor,” Sarah said. “We are going after both of them.”

She pointed to the first page of the document.

“Kidnapping, extortion, and grand larceny,” Sarah said.

The words felt heavy in the quiet room.

“Grand larceny?” Leo asked.

“Josephine emptied Grace’s personal savings account two weeks ago,” Sarah explained.

“She used a forged power of attorney while Grace was kept in the back bedroom,” she said.

My hand went to my throat.

I remembered the smell of the damp mattress in Josephine’s basement.

I remembered the taste of the bitter water Melanie made me drink.

“They took everything my father left me,” I whispered.

“They did,” Sarah said. “But the bank records show the transfer went directly into an account controlled by Josephine.”