Begin reading Chapter Two now...

Night fell over the dense woods of Route 9. The old timber mill was a looming, decaying structure of rusted iron and rotting wood, surrounded by overgrown weeds and shrouded in thick mountain fog.

Federal tactical teams were positioned in the tree line, armed and waiting for Vance's signal.

Inside the mill, a single floodlight illuminated the center floor. Daniel stood under the light, holding the brass key in his hand, his heart pounding visibly against his chest. Vanessa sat safely in a tactical command vehicle a mile away.

I sat in the passenger seat of Agent Vance’s surveillance van, watching the live video feed from a button camera pinned to Daniel's jacket.

At 9:00 PM, a black SUV pulled into the mill structure. Claire Morrison stepped out, wearing a dark trench coat, flanked by two armed security guards.

"You brought the key, Daniel," Claire said, her voice echoing through the hollow mill. "Smart boy. I always knew you had more of your father’s greed in you than your mother's piety."

"Leave my mother out of your mouth, Claire," Daniel said, keeping his voice surprisingly steady. "Where's the money you promised?"

Claire laughed—a cold, sharp sound. "Money? Daniel, you really are naive. You think you get a payout? You're Miller’s bastard child. Everything under that lake house belonged to my family. You're just a parasite who lived off Thomas's stolen salary for thirty years."

On the monitor, I saw Daniel’s hands clench into fists, but he controlled his temper.

"My father wasn't a crook," Daniel said fiercely. "Thomas Collins was twice the man your father ever was. He raised me. He protected me from people like you."

"Thomas was a coward who buried the truth!" Claire snapped, stepping closer and raising a silenced pistol. "Now hand over the key."

Daniel held up the key, then did something that wasn't in the FBI script.