“It is an emergency intervention order,” he continued, looking over the top of his glasses at Carter.

“All accounts associated with Hartwell Holdings and its subsidiaries have been frozen as of forty minutes ago.”

Vance stood up so quickly his chair scraped loudly against the floor.

“Your Honor, on what grounds?” Vance asked, his voice tight.

“On the grounds of suspected interstate wire fraud and unauthorized asset transfers,” Judge Harrison said.

The judge laid the document flat on his desk and looked at Lydia.

“Ms. Burke, please proceed with your audio evidence.”

Lydia nodded to the clerk, who clicked a button on his computer screen.

A low hum came from the speakers mounted in the corners of the courtroom, followed by the sound of static.

My heart beat against my ribs, a heavy, rhythmic thud that felt too loud for the room.

Then, a voice came through the speakers, clear and unmistakable.

It was Carter’s voice.

“She’s asleep,” Carter on the recording said, his tone casual, almost bored.

“The nurse gave her the extra dose at eight.”

The sound of a heavy wooden door creaking open played through the audio.