seam.
It opened.
Inside was a narrow pocket.
And inside that pocket was a folded piece of paper wrapped around a small silver flash drive.
No one spoke.
Owen looked terrified.
I looked at him first, not the drive.
“You did nothing wrong.”
He nodded, but his chin shook.
Elise put on gloves before touching anything. Carefully, she unfolded the paper.
There were only six words on the outside.
In Evan Bennett’s handwriting.
If I disappear, find Ryker Steel.
The room tilted.
Elise turned the paper over.
There was more writing inside, cramped and hurried.
Ryker,
If this reaches you, I failed to keep the storm away from my children. I found something connected to Anna, Claire, and the accounts I once warned you about. It is not what it looks like. The children are not safe with anyone who benefits from my silence.
Trust Nathan if he comes clean.
