“If I do not board this boat, the information I hold will be released anyway.”

“And your family’s name will be dragged into the dirt along with mine.”

“My family’s name is already dead,” I said.

Behind us, the sound of sirens began to rise over the sound of the wind.

It was not the high-pitched wail of the city police.

It was the deep, rhythmic horn of the state police cruisers and federal units.

Dozens of red and blue lights began to flash against the frosted glass of the cabin windows.

Kane’s face finally lost its composure.

His hand shook, and the briefcase slipped from his fingers, hitting the carpeted floor with a heavy thud.

“You called them,” Kane whispered, his voice cracking.

“You ruined yourself to stop me.”

“I did not call them for me,” I said.

“I called them for the children you sold.”

The door behind us burst open, and a dozen armed state troopers flooded the cabin.

“Drop your weapons!” a voice boomed through a megaphone from the dock.

Luca looked at me, his gun still raised.