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“Why did you hide the ledger in my backpack?”

The question silences everyone.

Frank releases Sean’s arm.

“I didn’t know Greg blamed you.”

“That isn’t what I asked.”

He studies her face.

“Sally called after you left the diner. She told me Greg had driven past twice. She needed the ledger moved before he returned.”

“So she put it in my bag?”

“No. I did.”

“Without telling me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you were already running.”

Sage flinches.

Frank sees it.

“I know how that sounds.”

“Do you?”

“You changed your hair. You wore glasses you didn’t need. You gave me a false name. Anyone watching me would have seen a truck driver helping a runaway girl. They wouldn’t have known you were connected to Sally or Marisol.”

“But Greg did.”

“Not then.”

“You made me carry evidence that could get me killed.”

“Yes.”

The word hangs between them.

Frank doesn’t excuse it.

He doesn’t tell her he did what he had to do.

“I was wrong,” he says.

Sage looks surprised.

“I thought I could find you again within a few days. I planned to take the ledger out and send you somewhere safer.”

“But you lost me.”

“Yes.”