Vanessa stood to leave, then paused at the door.

“Just so you know — those creditors Daniel was trying to dump on you? Word’s already out that the debt’s his. People are looking for him. If I were him, I’d be more scared of them than of you.”

She said it with a small, malicious smile, and walked out into the Manhattan crowd, leaving a chill behind her.

I didn’t take satisfaction in that part. Whatever Daniel had coming through a courtroom, I didn’t want his blood on a back street.

That distinction mattered to me — it was the whole difference between him and me.

By noon, Meyers’ team had authenticated the drive. The evidence was damning and conclusive.