"Exactly! That's why we have to find it!" Her voice pitched higher, a screech now. "Whoever holds it, owns it! Go check the bedroom again!"

I watched, frozen. Ice spread through my veins.

I'd always known the Fletchers were mercenary. But this—

His sister tore apart Rosemary's toys, tossing them aside with a huff of impatience. "There's nothing here!"

"Keep looking!" My mother-in-law commanded like a general on a battlefield. "Flip the mattress! Take the drawers out completely!"

They moved through my home like locusts. Like thieves.

Two hours. They searched for two hours before finally leaving, empty-handed and seething.

I saved the footage.

Every second of it.

Evidence, I thought coldly. For later.

My mother walked over with a plate of sliced fruit, her brow furrowed.

"What are you looking at? You've gone pale."

She wasn't in the best health, and I didn't want anything to upset her.

"It's nothing," I said. "Let's just watch the New Year's Gala."

As midnight approached, a commotion erupted outside.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Someone was pounding on the door.

I glanced out the window. Abner's SUV was parked right at the entrance.

This isn't good.

I immediately opened my phone's video recording.