She couldn't move, couldn't open her eyes. Her plans had gone to hell in a hand basket and now she was in that tunnel, drifting, drifting away, when she heard a man's voice growl, “Michael, Michael. I am so disappointed." Then another gunshot rang out.

Sam jerked upright in bed. She groaned, pressing her palms to her eyes, hunching over and rocking back and forth. She put her hands down and looked at the clock, five a.m. It didn't look like she was going to get any more sleep, so she pushed out of bed.

"Come on, buddy. Let's go for a run."

Jasper bounced excitedly beside her while she put on running tights and a jacket. She tiptoed down the hall, wrote a quick note for Alec, and was out the door in a just a few minutes.

Forty-five minutes later, she stepped back into the warmth of her apartment and pulled off her gloves and ear-warmer. Jasper immediately trotted to the kitchen where Alec had breakfast going. He greeted the dog with a crispy piece of bacon and turned to her with a serious expression.

"Ma'am. I’m fully aware that you are a capable fighter, but next time, please allow me to accompany you on your run."

He held up a hand when she began to speak.

“It doesn't matter what time it is or how cold it is. I’ve been sitting here for the last twenty minutes telling myself to wait, that if you weren't back within an hour of your departure, I’d call the boss. I’d rather not be in that position. It's not good for my heartburn."

"Alec, you don't have heartburn.” Sam replied sarcastically. "But I hear what you're saying and yes, I'll let you come along next time. I’m sorry I worried you."

"Thank you, ma'am." Alec smiled. "Breakfast is ready in fifteen minutes. Cam and Agent DeLuc will be here at seven-thirty."

Sam smiled back at him and shook her head when he gave Jasper another bacon strip.

"Thanks Alec, but there won't be any breakfast if you keep giving it away."

Shaking her head at his chuckle, she turned toward her bedroom. A good, hot shower and a homemade breakfast would make the day to come a little more bearable.

* * *

"Do I want to know how you obtained these files, Ms. Covington?" Agent DeLuc raised eyebrow at her.

"Let's just say I called in a favor and leave it at that. I know there's no concrete evidence here, but there are enough connecting dots to show you where to look. At least I hope that's the case."

"Sam, walk us through what you’ve put together." Cameron gestured to the rows upon rows of reports, photographs and handwritten notes.

She took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders.

“I’ve organized the layout by time, type of report and people involved. From what I can tell, James and Norman helped my father start CSM with investment capital, but they didn't become deeply involved until the company gained some serious traction and subsequent growth. My father kept copious notes, and I know there's something I’m still missing, but here's the big kick in the pants to all this."

Sam pulled two small newspaper articles and one handwritten letter from the piles.

"This is a letter my mom wrote two days before her death."

She handed the old piece of paper, ink fading, to Agent DeLuc.

"She’s threatening to tell the media about CSM's dirty dealings if my father, James and Norman turn down a merger offered by a bigger company. They killed her because of this." Sam pointed emphatically to the newspaper article, written the morning after her mother's death. "This article says that CSM rejected the proposed offer and would continue to grow as a domestic company."

She held up the second newspaper clipping and waved it at Cameron. "My father died just before he could sign onto a merger that he was approached with. According to this article, he was going to do it without the shareholders’ approval. He made an executive decision, but was killed in a home invasion the day before he met with the larger company's executives."

Sam looked wide-eyed between agent DeLuc and Cameron. "James and Norman have stopped two previous merge efforts by committing murder. The only reason I’m still standing, is because I’m not as arrogant as my father was. I’m not running around thinking I can't be touched."

"Michael underestimated their resolve." Cameron offered.

"Yes. He also thought he could bypass them by making an executive decision. I haven't done that. I bet you anything they're pressuring the other shareholders to vote nay. They're probably counting on that to keep CSM out of Carnelian's hands."

Sam looked at Agent DeLuc expectantly. "Agent, do you think your men can pull anything from all this?"

Agent DeLuc nodded thoughtfully. "We'll use it. We'll also subpoena the 911 calls and the coroner's reports for both deaths. Thank you for this, it will help us make some serious headway."

Sam and Alec helped the two men pack everything up, then Sam retreated to her bedroom. She smiled when Stone's face appeared on her phone screen.

"Hey Sweetness. How's it going? You ok?"

She smiled a wobbly smile at his look of concern, sniffed, and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I need to see you.” She told him in a voice that she wished was steadier. "Are you at Hartstone? Can I come?"

"Anytime you want, you know that, Love. I'll be waiting for you at the airport, but can you tell me what's wrong, or do I have to wait?"

She sniffed, forcing a smile for him. "You're too observant, Stone Montgomery. I’ve been thinking. I want to talk, but I need you. I need you with me."

“You know I’m here for you. I love you. I'll see you in a few hours."

Sam nodded, blew him a kiss, and ended the call. One weight had been taken off her shoulders with Agent DeLuc taking up the investigation. Another had been placed there with the knowledge her information had overturned. Alec was right, this was war. The thought of casualties made her sick, but she had to prepare for every possible outcome.