Blanche peeked out from behind Vincent, a smug little smile curling at her lips.

She mouthed two words at me:

Pay up.

So that's what this was about.

This whole performance—just another shakedown.

She knew Irene was my weak spot. She thought she could use my daughter's future to force my hand.

Too bad she'd miscalculated.

I pulled out my phone, opened the voice recorder, and set it on the table.

"Call the police."