I hung up the phone and stared at the locked screen of the tablet.

I touched the glass, trying a few common passcodes.

I tried Carter’s birthday.

Locked.

I tried the date Vale House was incorporated.

Locked.

I tried Vivian’s birthday.

The screen flashed red: *Incorrect passcode. Two attempts remaining before permanent lockout.*

I drew a deep breath and set the tablet down.

I couldn’t risk locking it permanently.

I stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the snow falling over the harbor.

The water was black and cold.

I felt a deep, burning anger in my chest.

They had taken my company, my designs, and my family’s legacy.

But they had made a mistake.

They had left a paper trail, and I was going to follow it to the very end.

I went to the closet and pulled out my old leather briefcase.

Inside were files I had saved from my mother’s desk before she died.

There were old address books, letters, and business cards from our early days in Boston.

If Vivian had planned this years ago, there would be a connection.