Chapter 9 - Blood in the SnowNoah grabbed the folder and shoved two USB drives into his pocket.

He looked for a weapon.

Only a rusted fishing knife lay beside the chest. He took it, though his hand trembled so badly he almost dropped it.

Daniel climbed the attic steps slowly.

He had changed out of his funeral suit. Now he wore a dark coat and leather gloves, like a man dressed for weather, not murder.

“How did you find me?” Noah asked.

Daniel smiled. “Your mother’s old car has a tracker. Sentimental people are so predictable.”

“You tried to bury her alive.”

“I tried to end a problem.”

Noah felt rage burn through the fear. “She loved you.”

Daniel’s face hardened. “She loved control.”

“She helped children read.”

“She sat on a mountain of donor money and wanted applause for handing out books.” He stepped closer. “You have no idea what power looks like.”

Noah backed toward the attic window.

Daniel noticed. “Don’t be dramatic.”

“You mean like holding a funeral for a living woman?”

Daniel lunged.

Noah swung the fishing knife wildly, cutting Daniel’s sleeve. Daniel slammed him into the rafters. Pain exploded through Noah’s shoulder. The folder spilled open. Papers scattered like white birds.

Outside, a gunshot cracked.

Daniel paused.

Then another.

The officers.

Noah’s stomach dropped.

Daniel smiled again. “I told you I don’t work alone.”

Noah kicked him hard in the knee. Daniel stumbled. Noah dove through the attic window onto the slanted porch roof.

Glass tore his hoodie. Cold air struck his face. He slid down, hit the porch railing, and fell into snow.

His shoulder screamed.

Behind him, Daniel cursed.

Noah ran.

Pine branches whipped his face. He clutched one USB drive so tightly the plastic edge cut his palm.

A figure emerged near the tree line.

Noah raised the knife.

“Easy,” said Detective Sloane.

He nearly collapsed.

Behind her stood three state police officers.

Sloane looked past him toward the cabin. “Where’s Daniel?”

Noah turned.

The attic window was empty.

Then the cabin exploded in orange light.

Fire climbed the curtains from inside.

May you like

He let his mother throw his grieving wife’s purse into the mud, unaware...

His girlfriend dumped him for a man in a G-Wagon on graduation day—then...

My sister ripped open my blouse at Dad’s retirement gala to show 200 gue...

Daniel had not come to kill Noah first.

He had come to burn the evidence.