Chapter 3 - ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS

I didn't sleep.

At three in the morning, I opened my banking app under the blanket like I was checking a weapon before a patrol.

My military deposits were there. Month after month. Transfer after transfer.

Then they disappeared.

Some went to household expenses. Most didn't.

Thirty-two thousand dollars had been moved to a company called PWP Consulting.

I searched the business registry.

Paige Willow Parker.

My sister.

Another eighteen thousand went to a luxury auto dealership. Twelve thousand went to a contractor. Eight thousand went to a jewelry store.

Then I found the transfer that made me sit upright.

$14,800 - HARTWELL ONCOLOGY GROUP.

The payment had been reversed two days later.

I looked at Gwen sleeping beside me.

Her beanie had slipped back an inch.

Under it, her hair was growing in unevenly, short and soft against her scalp.

My throat closed.

Cancer.

I eased out of bed and went downstairs.

The kitchen was dark except for the light over the stove. I opened the drawer where we had always kept bills.

Empty.

Then I heard a voice behind me.

"Looking for something?"

Paige leaned against the doorway in a satin robe.

"Coffee," I said.

"At three-thirty?"

"Jet lag."

She smiled. "You always were terrible at lying."

I smiled back. "Good thing I'm not lying."

For one second, neither of us moved.

Then her phone buzzed on the counter.

The screen lit up.

MOM: HE'S CHECKING THINGS. MOVE THE REST TOMORROW.

Paige grabbed the phone so fast she nearly dropped it.

"Boyfriend?" I asked.

Her face tightened. "None of your business."

"Right."

I poured coffee I didn't want.

She left.

I waited until her footsteps faded.

Then I looked toward the security camera over the back door.

A little green light blinked.

My house had cameras now.

And I didn't know the password.

But I knew exactly who installed the system.

My old neighbor, Luis Alvarez.

At sunrise, I sent him one message.

I'M HOME. DON'T TELL ANYONE.

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His reply came ten seconds later.

THANK GOD. COME ALONE. THERE'S SOMETHING YOU NEED TO SEE.