“Daniel,” he said, breathing heavily.

“You are making a terrible mistake.”

“The woman in the hospital is a liability.”

“If the public finds out about her connection to the boys, your business is ruined.”

“Your reputation will go down with it.”

“I don’t care about the business,” I said.

“I care about my family.”

“You tried to destroy the original contract to keep us under your thumb.”

Vance laughed, a dry, cold sound.

“The original contract is already gone, Daniel.”

“I burned it in your fireplace ten minutes ago.”

“There is no legal proof left.”

“Claire Bennett is nothing but a former employee in the eyes of the law.”

Ruth stood up slowly from the corner, using the shelf for support.

She held the rusted metal box against her chest.

“You are wrong, Vance,” she said.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small silver key.

With trembling hands, she unlocked the box.

She pulled out a thick document.

It was bound in blue legal paper, identical to the one Vance had destroyed.

“I had the notary make two copies five years ago,” Ruth said.