“Because, kid,” Mike muttered, shaking his head, “I knew your father. A long time ago.” Her eyes widened. “You knew him?” Mike nodded. “Yeah. And believe me, if he’s looking for you, we’re burning daylight.”
He stood up, tossed a twenty on the table, and offered her his hand. “Let’s go.” Sarah hesitated for a heartbeat, then took his hand, choosing to trust a stranger over the man who shared her blood. They stepped out into the dying storm. The wind still bit at Mike’s face, but the “turn back” voice in his head had gone quiet.
They reached the truck, Sarah shivering as she climbed into the cab. Mike locked the doors and checked his mirrors. The diner was quiet. No sign of the man in the black coat. But Mike knew better than to feel safe. He turned the key, and the diesel engine roared to life, a comforting rumble in the dark.
They drove in silence for a while, the interstate a dark ribbon stretching into the night. The snow was still falling, but the plow trucks were finally out. Mike kept glancing at Sarah. She was staring out the window, her face a mask of exhaustion. Wrapped in the blanket, she looked like a child, her hands clenched in her lap.
“You want to tell me what this is about?” he finally asked. “You’re a Sterling. Why are you freezing in a ditch?” Sarah swallowed hard. “I found something,” she said quietly. “Something I wasn’t supposed to see.”
Mike gripped the wheel. “What kind of something?” She took a shaky breath. “My father… he’s not just a businessman.” Mike gave a grim laugh. “I figured that out ten years ago. So, what did you find?” She bit her lip, looking away. “A list.”
“A list?” Mike prompted.
“Names,” she whispered. “People. Some are gone, some I don’t know. But my father’s name is at the top. And the payments… the deals… so many deals.” Mike felt his breath hitch. He’d seen enough of Silas’s operations to know what that meant. “Blood money,” he finished for her.
Sarah nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “I didn’t know where to go. I thought if I just disappeared, he’d let me go. But I was wrong. He sent his ‘cleaners.’ They chased me from DC, and I ran my car into a ravine trying to lose them. I walked until I couldn’t walk anymore.” Mike exhaled slowly. She was in deep, and now, so was he.
“You said a list,” Mike said. “Do you have it?” Sarah shook her head. “No, I left the physical files when I ran.” Mike cursed under his breath. “Then why is he still hunting you?” She hesitated, then reached into her coat pocket. Mike tensed. She pulled out a small USB drive.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Mike breathed. Sarah gripped the tiny piece of plastic like it was a lifeline. “I copied it all,” she whispered. Mike ran a hand through his hair. “Lord, kid. You really did it.” He didn’t know whether to be impressed or terrified. Probably both.
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