He had seconds.
"Her grandson stole confidential financial records."
Cole frowned.
"What kind?"
"Records exposing a money-laundering operation."
"Whose?"
Hale didn't answer.
Cole nodded.
"Thought so."
The sheriff arrived.
Deputy Sarah Collins stepped out.
She was thirty-six, alert, and visibly irritated by the weather.
She approached.
"What's happening?"
Cole pointed toward Voss.
"These men have been following Evelyn Carter for six days."
Voss immediately stepped forward.
"Deputy, we're private security."
Collins looked at his identification.
Then at Evelyn through the diner window.
"Does she know you?"
"No."
"Does she want to leave with you?"
Voss hesitated.
"No."
"Then you're not taking her anywhere."
Hale stepped forward.
"Deputy, this is a federal matter."
"Then federal agents can explain that when they arrive."
Hale's jaw tightened.
"Of course."
The men withdrew.
For the moment.
Inside the diner, Evelyn sat in a booth.
Cole sat across from her.
Sarah Collins stood nearby.
Evelyn held a cup of coffee between both hands.
They were still shaking.
"Tell me everything," Cole said.
Evelyn stared at the coffee.
"Nathan worked for a company called Meridian Strategic."
Sarah frowned.
"I've heard of them."
"Most people have," Evelyn said. "They advise governments. Defense contractors. Financial institutions."
Cole leaned forward.
"What did Nathan find?"
Evelyn pulled out the drive.
"He told me that Meridian had been hiding money through shell companies."
"How much?"
"I don't know."
"Millions?"
She shook her head.
"Billions."
Cole whistled quietly.
Evelyn continued.
"Nathan found accounts connected to politicians, corporations, foreign banks, and organized crime."
Sarah frowned.
"Organized crime?"
Evelyn nodded.
"He told me the company wasn't simply laundering money."
"What were they doing?"
"He said they were buying people."
Cole's expression darkened.
"What does that mean?"
"Judges. Police officials. Regulators. Contractors. Anyone who could make a problem disappear."
Sarah stared at the drive.
"Where is the ledger?"
Evelyn touched her coat.
"I don't have it."
Cole frowned.
"Then why are they chasing you?"
"Because Nathan told them I knew where it was."
"Do you?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"I don't know where it is."
A phone rang.
Everyone froze.
Evelyn reached into her purse.
"It isn't mine," she whispered.
Cole checked his pocket.
Not his.
Sarah's phone.
Not hers either.
Then the ringing stopped.
A moment later, Evelyn's phone vibrated.
She hadn't turned it on in six days.
Yet the screen showed one incoming message.
GRANDMA, DON'T TRUST THE POLICE.
Evelyn's face went white.
Cole took the phone.
"Who's it from?"
"Nathan."
Sarah looked at him.
"How is that possible?"
Cole read the next message.
THE LEDGER ISN'T A BOOK.
Another message arrived.
LOOK WHERE WE BURIED DAD.
Evelyn stood so quickly her hip almost gave out.
She grabbed the booth.
"My husband's grave."
Cole looked at her.
"Your husband?"
"Edward."
"When did he die?"
"Eleven years ago."
"What does Nathan mean?"
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
"When Nathan was twelve, Edward took him fishing every summer."
She swallowed.
"There was an old cabin."
"Where?"
"Outside Red Creek."
Cole stood.
"How far?"
"Forty-five minutes."
Sarah looked toward the window.
"You can't go anywhere."
Cole looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because if Nathan sent that message, somebody may be tracking the phone."
Evelyn looked down.
Another message arrived.
THEY KNOW ABOUT RED CREEK.
Everyone went silent.
Then:
GET THERE BEFORE MIDNIGHT.
Cole looked at the clock.
8:13 p.m.
He turned toward the bikers.
"Fuel up."
Sarah shook her head.
"You can't seriously be considering this."
Cole looked at her.
"I'm not considering it."
He looked at Evelyn.
"I'm taking her."
Sarah sighed.
"Then I'm coming too."
Cole nodded.
"Good."
They left the diner through the rear entrance.
The storm had not stopped.
But now Evelyn was no longer alone.
Eight motorcycles roared to life.
And somewhere in the darkness beyond the highway, Victor Hale made one phone call.
"Find them."
Red Creek
The motorcycles moved through the rain like a dark river.
Evelyn rode behind Cole.
At first, she was terrified.
She hadn't been on a motorcycle since she was twenty-two.
Her hands clutched Cole's jacket.
Her hip hurt.
The wind tore at her face.
But after twenty minutes, something unexpected happened.
She stopped being afraid.
For the first time in six days, she wasn't looking behind her.
She was looking forward.
Cole felt her grip loosen.
"You okay?" he shouted.
"Yes!"
"You're lying!"
"I know!"
He laughed.
It was the first time Evelyn had heard laughter from him.
They reached Red Creek at 9:02 p.m.
The old road was nearly impassable.
Cole stopped beside an abandoned barn.
Evelyn climbed off.
She was shaking.
"Where is the cabin?"
"Across the creek."
Cole looked at the water.
The bridge had collapsed years ago.
"How did you cross?"
"When I was younger."
He stared at her.
"You're seventy-two."
"I wasn't always."
They followed a narrow trail.
Sarah and Marcus came behind them.
The rest stayed near the motorcycles.
The cabin appeared through the trees.
Old.
Dark.
Half collapsed.
Evelyn approached the door.
She touched it.
"This is where Edward brought Nathan."