My pocket felt heavy where the second memory card sat.

But then I realized.

The first card.

I had sent the financial files to Sophia Reyes before I entered the house.

She must have just processed them.

Wade’s phone began to ring, the screen flashing with Deputy Reyes’s name.

Slowly, I raised my hands and stood up.

Vale lay on the floor, coughing and clutching his throat.

“He’s crazy, Thomas!” Vale wheezed. “He tried to kill me!”

“Keep your hands where I can see them, Daniel,” Wade said, stepping into the room.

He looked at the shattered glass, then at the gun near the refrigerator.

“You’re under arrest for attempted murder,” Wade said. “And the theft of family property.”

“He killed Emily, Wade,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “And you covered it up.”

“You’re talking nonsense,” Wade said. “You’ve lost your mind since she died.”

He reached into his pocket for his handcuffs.

As he did, his phone vibrated against his hip.

He paused, frown lines deep on his forehead.

He pulled the phone out with his left hand, keeping his gun trained on me with his right.