“This proves Emily was alive at Dr. Vale’s clinic hours after he declared her dead,” Sophia said.

“He poisoned her,” Ava whispered. “I heard them talking. Your mother gave Vale the vials.”

My hands clenched into fists, the plastic of the flash drive digging into my palm.

“Where is Vale now?” I asked.

“He’s at his private residence on the cliff,” Sophia said, looking at me. “But we need a warrant, Daniel.”

“We don’t have time for a warrant,” I said. “He knows we stopped the cremation.”

“If we go there without backup, we are on our own,” Sophia said.

“I’ve been on my own since I got back,” I said.

Sophia looked at the flash drive, then at her badge.

She unclipped the badge from her belt and slid it into her pocket.

“Let’s go,” she said.

We left Ava in the bait shop and drove up the winding cliffside road.

The headlights of the cruiser cut through the thick fog, illuminating the massive gates of Dr. Vale’s estate.

The iron gates were open, swinging slowly in the wind.