My fingers curled around it, drawing whatever warmth they could.

“If this is a lie, Juliette, I will make sure the police know you were his accomplice.”

“It’s not a lie,” she said, her voice cracking.

“Just tell Thomas Bell I cooperated.”

“Tell him I gave you everything.”

She slid the bolt open, and the freezing winter air hit my face like a slap.

I did not say goodbye.

I stepped out into the dark, my boots sinking into the fresh snow.

I ran down the side path, keeping low behind the overgrown boxwood hedges.

The snow was falling faster now, fat flakes stinging my eyes.

I did not stop until I reached the old stone chapel at the edge of the property.

A dark sedan was idling in the shadow of the weeping willows, its headlights turned off.

I opened the passenger door and slid into the warmth.

The smell of old leather and peppermint filled the air.

Thomas Bell sat behind the wheel, his hands resting on the steering column.

“Did you get it?” he asked.

I pulled the silver drive from my pocket and held it up.