My brother-in-law called from his business trip and asked me to water his plants. But when I unlocked his house, I found his frail, delirious niece curled up in a filthy spare room — and beside her was something that exposed the horrifying truth.

By 9:00 AM the next morning, we had managed to steal Marcus’s roommate’s car and drive back into Manhattan. First National City Bank was a towering fortress of marble and glass.

"I have to go in alone," I said, putting on a pair of dark sunglasses and pulling a knit beanie over my hair to disguise myself. "Julian is too recognizable, and Marcus, you need to keep the engine running."

Julian handed me a crumpled piece of paper. "The box is under a shell corporation Elena set up. Azure Holdings. The box number is 814. You have her eyes, Claire. If they ask questions, just act entitled."

I took a deep breath, stepped out of the car, and walked into the bank. The grand lobby was eerily quiet. I approached the vault teller, a stern-looking woman in a tailored suit.

"I need to access my box. Azure Holdings. Number 814," I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I slid the silver key across the marble counter.

The teller typed into her computer. She paused, her brow furrowing. "One moment, ma'am."

My heart hammered. Had Arthur flagged the account? Was she calling the police?

After agonizing seconds, she smiled tightly. "Right this way."

She led me into the heavily armored vault, inserted her master key alongside mine, and pulled out a long, heavy metal box. She left me alone in a private viewing room.

My hands shook as I popped the lid open. Inside was a treasure trove of damnation. There were three thick ledger books detailing Arthur's massive embezzlement scheme. But more importantly, there was a handwritten letter from Elena, dated three days before she died.

If you are reading this, Arthur has likely killed me, the letter began. I confronted him about stealing from Julian. He threatened my life. Everything you need to put him away is in this box.

Tears blurred my vision. I had the proof. I finally had the bullet to take down my sister's killer. But as I packed the documents into my bag, a heavy hand grabbed my shoulder from behind.