“I wanted leverage,” he admitted, his shoulders sinking. “With Lila, I could control the transition of the assets.”

“You underestimated Nora,” I said. “And you underestimated me.”

He reached slowly toward his breast pocket, his fingers moving with deliberate caution.

“Hands where I can see them,” I barked.

“It is just the drive,” he said, pulling out a small, silver USB casing. “Everything is on here.”

He held it out between two fingers, the metal catching the yellow light of the headlamps.

“The bank accounts, the shell companies, the foreign buyers,” he said. “It is the proof you need to clear Nora’s name.”

“And to convict you,” I said.

“Yes,” he said quietly. “To convict me.”

I stepped forward, keeping my distance, and snatched the drive from his hand.

The metal was cold against my palm.

“Marcus!” I called out into the rainy dark behind me.

The shadow of my tactical guard appeared in the doorway almost instantly, his own weapon drawn.

“Tie him up,” I ordered. “Put him in the cellar until the authorities arrive.”