n't s

he black letters practically glowing in the dark. Every time I shut my

ssed on autopilot, grabbed coffee I couldn't

ybe Pierce was bluffing, and could still f

he moment I saw

ed and blue lights flashing. A small crowd had gathere

ing on?" I

and. "Ma'am, you can't

. My voice came out higher tha

r, then sighed. "There was a brea

hit like a

he could stop me. Inside,

ike fallen leaves. The wall of children's drawings I loved so mu

center of the wreckag

nearly g

d and tore it open

RS. YOU'RE RUNN

. The police voic

is wasn't just some junkie looki

er

shaving hours

an

doorway, her face pale. I ha

chaos. "Who would..." She stopped when she

ded n

ected, isn't it? To that man. Th

owed. "

This isn't just about your charity anymore

tting it felt like invi

andle it

s. "No, you can't. And you

tell me the truth, who carried secrets like weapons,

y head. "

ice. If this Pierce guy is as dangerous as y

"Jane, I don't wan

. Mom was already gone. Dad was f

answer, a voice c

n't this

h spun

e took in the wreckage. His gaze landed on t

" he said. No

he sounded

t does he want from me

Sophia, then back to me.

with your secrets, Daniel. I deserve to k

etween us. "Someone better start

ed at me with something like

's ruthless. He destroys people to get what h

"Then why is he

ne, and the answer c

only thing that e

t of my chest. I stared at him, searching his face for an

dn't look away. And somehow, tha

s widened. "

Pierce wasn't just targeting me. He wa

th... then Pierce wouldn't st

de. "Ma'am, we'll need you to come down to

ded n

sharp in her eyes. "Jane, this is insane. Y

ward. "No. She'll

r with the guy who clearly brought this n

her, and I felt like I

-" I

Jane, listen to me. Pierce won't stop. He'll escal

d mine. "And what if he's lyi

ose. A part of me wo

r voices overlapping, my heart p

Unknow

it. My bl

ict

his hosp

timestamped fi

essage: "64 HOU

t just my nonprofit anymor

watching

tdown had swallow