Liam gripped the cheap burner phone tightly against his ear, his heart pounding in his chest as the unknown caller gave him dark instructions.

"Who are you?" Liam asked, his voice trembling in the cold, dirty motel room.

"Someone who wants to see Julian Vance fall just as much as you do," the deep voice answered. "Your stepmother Nora is already starting the next phase in the city. Watch the news tomorrow morning, and do not fail your part."

The call clicked off, leaving only the sound of heavy rain hitting the dirty window.

By seven o'clock the next morning, the city was flooded with fresh, juicy gossip. Nora had...