This book held the names of every local official Margaret had paid off.

It held the records of Caleb’s personal debts that his mother had cleared.

I pushed the heavy wooden door open and stepped inside.

Caleb spun around, his eyes widening in panic as he saw me.

He raised the iron flashlight like a weapon, his face pale in the dim light.

“Daniel,” he gasped, backing away toward the wooden chair where Sophia sat.

Sophia raised her head, her swollen eye blinking against the light.

“Daniel, get out of here,” she croaked. “It’s a trap.”

I didn’t look at her; I kept my eyes locked on Caleb.

“Drop the flashlight, Caleb,” I said, my voice low and steady.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Caleb said, his voice cracking. “Wade will be back.”

“Wade isn’t going to save you,” I said.

I stepped closer, holding up the black leather ledger so he could see it.

Caleb’s eyes locked onto the book, and his jaw went slack.

“Where did you get that?” he whispered.

“I found your mother’s safe,” I said. “Every name is in here. Every dollar.”