"The box!" Nathaniel''s voice was sharp and cold. "Didn''t you say Hank took it and handed it over to Reese? Then why are all these files fake?"


    Sofia''s eyes widened. The color vanished from her cheeks. "Actually... Hank never got the box,” she admitted, barely above a whisper. “Dous told me Hank tried to get it from the old housest night, but Bailey caught him. He didn''t get it. Bailey moved the box somewhere else."


    Nathaniel let go of her so suddenly that Sofia stumbled back, dropped onto the couch, and started sobbing. She just wanted Nathaniel to me Reese. She never thought her lie would fall apart so fast.


    Nathaniel stood there, looking like he could explode at any second. If he had known the truth, he wouldn''t have rushed to go after Matthew. He wouldn''t be stuck here now, desperate and on the run.


    "You idiot," he spat. “You ruined everything! Do you have any idea what you''ve done?"


    He could hardly believe it. His own daughter''s lie had wrecked his ns. Not only did he lose his chance at the real evidence, he''d exposed himself and now the police were after him. Rage made his whole body shake. He almost wanted to shut Sofia up for good. But then he saw her face, so much like Grace''s, and remembered she was his only daughter. He couldn''t do it. His hand fell uselessly to his side.


    Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. The sound shattered the heavy silence in the room.


    Sofia''s cries died in her throat. She went pale, her eyes wide with fear. The police. It had to be the police.


    She shot Nathaniel a frantic look, her lips trembling. "It''s the police. Hide under the bed, now." She hurried to the guest room, yanking up the bed skirt.


    Nathaniel took a deep breath. This wasn''t the time to argue. He grabbed the papers on the table and squeezed himself under the bed.


    Sofia tried to fix her hair and clothes, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. She took a shaky breath, then walked to the door and opened it just a crack. She forced a smile. “Hello, officers. Can I help you?"


    "Good evening. We''re with the West Side precinct," one of the officers said, shing his badge. “Are you Ms. Sofia Meyer?"


    "Yes... I am," Sofia answered, her voice quivering as she avoided looking them in the eye.


    "Our records show you and


    Nathaniel Phillips flew back on the


    het


    same flight. Both tickets were bought with the same phone number," the officer told her. "We believe you''re in contact with him. He''s wanted for several crimes. Have you seen him recently?"


    Sofia''s heart dropped. She shook her head quickly. "No. I don''t even know a Nathaniel. My friend bought my ticket for me."


    The two officers nced at each other, clearly suspicious.


    "Ms. Meyer, we need toe in and take a look around. Please cooperate," the second officer said.


    "Do you have a search warrant?" Sofia asked, instinctively blocking the door. "I live here alone. You can''t juste in."


    The officers hesitated. They didn''t have a warrant yet and it showed on their faces.


    Sofia let out a quiet sigh of relief. "If


    you don''t have a warrant, then


    please leave she gently closed the. door and waited until their footsteps faded.


    Finally alone, she leaned against the door, breathing hard, her back slick with cold sweat.


    Out in the hallway, the officers spoke in low voices.


    "There were two used sses on the coffee table," one said.


    "The doormat was out of ce. Someone''s definitely here," the other replied They shared a look. "We d to report this. Nathaniel almost definitely hiding in Sofia''s apartment