The metadata on the public copy showed it was signed while I was in New York, but I had been in Paris that week.

I had never been able to prove where the digital file was originally created because the original document was locked away on a private drive.

“Julian,” I said, looking up from the notebook.

“If this IP address is active, we can access the original files on his private server.”

“Priya can use this decryption key,” Julian said, his eyes widening slightly.

“If the original contract file is on that server, the metadata will show exactly when and where it was created.”

“And whose computer was used to apply your digital signature,” I added.

I looked back at the ledger, my fingers tracing the letters of the decryption key.

“Bennett was in Greenwich the entire week I was in Paris,” I said.

“If the file was created on his private machine during that time, the forgery is proven.”

“The police will have to drop the charges against you immediately,” Julian said.

Celeste looked between the two of us, her panic transitioning into a desperate hope.