Chapter 6. Hers and Hers Alone

Rae POV

Gold. Gold, like a coin held up to a fire.

Every hair on my arms stood up. Some old part of my brain whispered run, and I couldn't move.

My father's hand opened.

I don't think he decided to let go. I think his fingers simply stopped working, the way a hand goes numb in the cold.

"I can prove it," I said to the deputy. "Kyle. Give me ten seconds."

Grandma June's jewelry box was in my saddlebag, because I didn't trust the lock on my new door yet. I pulled it out under the floodlight and pressed the third pine needle on the inlaid lid, the way she'd shown me when I was seven and swore me to secrecy.

The bottom clicked open.

Inside lay a folded sheet of thick paper with a nota