The cold night air hit my face, shocking me awake.

The police car was gone, leaving only the quiet darkness of the driveway.

I buckled the boys into the back seat of the SUV.

Ruth sat in the passenger seat, her eyes fixed on the dark road ahead.

“You did the right thing, Daniel,” Ruth said softly as I started the engine.

“I should have done it years ago,” I replied.

The drive to St. Mary’s Medical Center was quiet.

The headlights cut through the thick fog rolling in from the valley.

My mind was spinning with everything that had happened.

Vance would face charges of extortion, grand larceny, and professional misconduct.

He would lose his license, his freedom, and his reputation.

But that was just the beginning.

The board of my company would soon hear about the police involvement.

My phone began to buzz in the center console.

It was an email from the chairman of the board.

I ignored it.

I looked in the rearview mirror at my two sons sleeping in the back.

They were my only priority now.