Reading Time: 89 minutesThe Final Chapter: Thirty Days to Discover the Truth I looked at Richard Hartwell as though he had just told me the cruelest joke anyone could possibly tell a starving eighteen-year-old. Thirty… Read more

Reading Time: 63 minutesThe first thing I remember was a man’s voice calling my name. “Amelia? Amelia, can you hear me?” His voice sounded as though it were coming from underwater. I wanted to answer.… Read more

Reading Time: 52 minutesI walked straight past him. “Blair!” Nolan’s voice followed me across the parking lot, sharp enough to make the young patrol officer turn his head. “Blair, honey, please. You need to listen… Read more

Reading Time: 35 minutes“Actually,” Samuel said carefully, “your father was very specific. He asked that you come alone.” I tightened my grip on the phone. “Alone?” “Yes. He left written instructions. Before we discuss the… Read more

Reading Time: 45 minutesBy the time Ryan finally opened the second blue envelope, the ship was far enough from Miami that the skyline looked like a row of gray teeth on the horizon. I was… Read more

Reading Time: 40 minutesThe words “back exit cleared” changed the temperature in that room. Until then, some small, frightened part of me was still trying to make excuses. Maybe Caleb had fallen at school. Maybe… Read more

Reading Time: 37 minutes“Mom, please don’t make this difficult.” For a few seconds, nobody moved. The wind pushed gently through the maple trees along the edge of my property, stirring the leaves with a soft… Read more

Reading Time: 39 minutesMrs. Whitaker’s question seemed to change the temperature in the room. “Did anyone ask you to destroy them?”For a moment, I couldn’t answer. I could hear the muffled ding of the bank’s… Read more

Reading Time: 40 minutesDr. Evans looked at me for a long moment. “Not even after your hospitalization in 2008?” The question seemed to make the entire examination room colder. I stared at her. “No,” I… Read more