He Sold the Family Home—But the Letter in His Hand Changed Everything

The compartment was accessible only from the water.

"Absolutely not," Mark said.

"You don't get to say that after dragging us through a flooding tunnel."

"It's dark."

"I've noticed."

"It could be trapped."

"So could breakfast in this family."

"Daniel's boat plans show a maintenance panel under the stern. Two bolts."

Laura glared. "I can do it."

"I know."

"I'm coming anyway," he said.

They entered the water together.

Under the stern, the world became shadow, bubbles, and the beam of her flashlight. Mark found the panel. Laura held the light while he worked the corroded bolts free.

Inside was a sealed metal tube. Laura grabbed it.

A bright light suddenly cut through the water.

She looked up.

A boat engine roared.

Leonard's cruiser came around the end of the dock at full speed.

"Get out of the water!" Carson shouted.

Agents returned fire toward the windshield.

The sealed tube slipped from Laura's hand.

"No!"

Mark caught her ankle as she dove. Laura tore free, kicked downward, and closed her fingers around the sinking tube.

Her lungs burned.

Then something struck the water above her with a violent slap.

Leonard's boat had rammed an empty slip. Wood splintered. Agents rushed the pier.

"Do you have it?"

"Tell me I'm dramatic again."

"I will when we're not being shot at."

Carson approached the crashed boat.

"Where is he?" Evelyn shouted from behind the security line.

A marina worker pointed toward the parking lot.

"He jumped off before impact!"

Laura twisted open the metal tube.

Inside were the missing carbon ledger pages, dry and intact.

And one envelope addressed to Anna Mercer.

The letter was short.

Daniel admitted everything. He apologized without asking forgiveness. He transferred his remaining personal shares in Vale Development into a trust for Samuel's heirs and the pension victims.

A scream cut across the parking lot. Evelyn.

They all turned.

Leonard stood behind her with the stolen revolver from Daniel's safe pressed against her side.

"Drop the ledger," he shouted.

Mark froze.

Leonard smiled.