Chapter 2: The Hunt Begins
Bailey had spent her entire life believing survival meant staying unnoticed.
Now survival required becoming the smartest person in the room.
The study remained silent long after Leo Bianchi left.
Outside, rain tapped softly against the enormous windows overlooking Stefan Vain's estate. Somewhere downstairs, a grandfather clock struck noon.
Bailey stared at the legal pad.
Her father's habits floated back one after another.
Not memories.
Patterns.
People like Allaric Smith never forgot money.
They forgot birthdays.
Anniversaries.
Promises.
But never passwords.
"He recycled everything," Bailey murmured.
Stefan watched her.
"What do you mean?"
"He never invented new codes. He reused old pieces of his life."
Callum pulled another chair closer.
"Keep talking."
Bailey closed her eyes.
"When I was twelve..."
She smiled bitterly.
"He opened his first trucking company."
Stefan nodded.
"We found that."
"He named every warehouse after people he claimed to hate."
Callum frowned.
"Why?"
"Because no one searches the obvious."
She reached for one ledger.
"Buster wasn't just the dog's name."
Stefan leaned forward.
"No?"
"He had another dog."
May you like
She smiled faintly.
"Ranger."
