But I knew the Thornes.

A family like that did not pay thirty-five million dollars and simply let you walk away.

They paid it to buy time, to buy control, and to destroy the evidence that could put them in federal prison.

Once the flash drive was gone and Clara’s statement was recanted, we would have no leverage left.

We would be entirely at their mercy.

“She wants you to recant your statement against Gareth,” I said gently. “And she wants the flash drive.”

Clara’s hope faded, replaced by a cold, harsh reality.

“She wants to protect him,” Clara said, her voice trembling. “After what he did.”

“Yes.”

“And if we don’t?”

“She will try to ruin us,” I said.

Clara looked down at the paper, her fingers tracing the edge of the cream-colored sheet.

“What are we going to do, Mom?”

I reached out and took her hand.

“We are going to do what we should have done from the very beginning,” I said.

I picked up the document and turned to the page with the Zurich clearing codes.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.