Chapter 4
Raymond made it three steps.
One military police officer caught him before he reached the Audi.
Victoria screamed.
My mother shrieked that they were hurting him.
My father shouted for everyone to stop.
I stood still.
Because Raymond was not fighting like an innocent man.
He was fighting like a man trying to reach something.
“Search the vehicle,” Grant ordered.
Raymond twisted against the officer.
“You need a warrant!”
Grant held up the folder.
“We have one.”
The trunk opened.
At first, there were only expensive golf clubs.
Then Reeves lifted the floor panel.
Under it sat a black hard case.
Raymond stopped struggling.
Victoria saw his face.
“Ray?”
He did not answer.
Reeves opened the case.
Inside were documents.
Cash.
Passports.
And a military-grade encrypted drive.
My knees nearly gave.
Grant took the drive carefully.
“Where did you get this?”
Raymond stared at the ground.
Victoria slapped his shoulder.
“Answer her.”
He whispered, “I didn’t know what it was.”
Grant’s eyes hardened.
“That is not a denial.”
My father looked at me.
“Amelia, what is happening?”
I wanted to scream.
At him.
At all of them.
Instead, I said, “You were so busy deciding where I should sleep that you didn’t wonder why Marcus died.”
My mother’s face collapsed.
“Don’t say that.”
“Why? Does grief ruin Thanksgiving?”
She looked away.
Good.
Let it cut.
Reeves handed me a sealed envelope from the case.
My name was on it.
Marcus’s handwriting.
My fingers shook as I opened it.
Inside was one page.
Amelia,
If this reaches you, trust Grant. Trust no one in your family until Raymond is secured.
My throat closed.
May you like
The final line broke me.
Protect our baby. The betrayal is closer than you think.
