The morning sun streamed through the windows of George's Chicago apartment, casting long shadows across the kitchen table where he sat with his coffee. The documents from Jonathan Sterling were spread out before him, each one a piece of the puzzle that was his father's life.
George had spent the entire night going through them. Bank records. Financial statements. Letters. Wire transfers. The more he read, the more he realized how little he'd known about his father. Julian Blackwood had been a master of deception, a man who'd built his empire on lies and secrets.
Sam walked into the kitchen. She was dressed for work, her hair pulled back. She looked at George with concern.
"You didn't sleep again."
"I couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my father's face. I heard his voice. I fe
