She tried to sound casual. "Sure."
I left copies of the papers on the dining table and went into the hallway with my phone.
Grace opened the folder. I watched her face lose all color.
Then she grabbed her phone and made a call.
The second Ryan answered, she whispered, "She has it. Liam kept copies. I told you he would."
For a long moment, neither of us said anything.
I stepped into the room.
Grace dropped the phone.
For a long moment, neither of us said anything.
Then she whispered, "Emily."
No."
Tears filled her eyes instantly. "Please let me explain."
"You can start with this. Did you steal from my children?"
She looked up at me, broken and angry at once.
She sat down hard. "I was going to put it back."
"That wasn't the question."
She looked up at me, broken and angry at once. "Ryan came back with debts and threats and promises. He said if I didn't help him, he'd drag Mia into his mess. I panicked."
"So you robbed me."
"I told myself I was borrowing." She let out a horrible laugh. "I know how that sounds."
I stepped closer. "Did you tell Ryan Liam had proof?"
"I thought Ryan would scare him into handing them over."
She shut her eyes.
"Did you?"
"Yes."
The room went cold.
She started crying harder. "I told him Liam had copies. I told him when Liam left work that night. I thought Ryan would scare him into handing them over. I swear I never thought—"
