Chapter Twenty-Five: The Safe
Nobody spoke for a full five seconds.
The evidence bag sat on the dining room table like a live grenade while rain battered the mansion windows harder outside.
Kylie stared at the flash drive.
Tiny.
Black.
Completely ordinary-looking.
And apparently important enough for people to die over.
“That can’t stay here,” Nolan said finally.
The sheriff nodded immediately. “Agreed.”
Richard looked pale. Actually pale.
Kylie noticed.
Interesting.
Because for the first time in her life, her father looked genuinely afraid of something.
Not inconvenienced.
Not irritated.
Afraid.
“What’s on it exactly?” she asked carefully.
Richard dragged one hand across his mouth before answering.
“Financial records. Illegal land acquisitions. Bribes.” His jaw tightened
