Shane Prescott stood in the shadows, his cap pulled low.

Sophia Laurent could sense the tension in his body, like an unsheathed blade.

"This is my mother-in-law," she explained softly.

The dangerous aura around Shane immediately dissipated.

"Your studio," he said in a low voice.

Sophia nodded and turned to Audrey Sullivan. "Mom, I'll be right back."

Audrey took an elegant sip of tea. "Go ahead."

Upstairs in the studio.

Shane locked the door behind them and opened a coded briefcase.

Inside lay an oddly shaped bronze artifact, its surface mottled with corrosion.

Sixteen centimeters long and two centimeters wide, one end featured an intricately carved dragon's head.

Sophia picked up a magnifying glass.

Nine ancient characters were inscribed on the artifact's reverse side.

"Decipher them," Shane said.

After carefully making rubbings of the inscriptions, Sophia identified seven characters.

"The remaining two require research. I'll have answers in three days."

Shane nodded and pulled out a stack of cash from his bag.

Sophia pushed it back. "It's nothing."

He gave her a long look before pocketing the money and leaving.

"Bring rubbings next time—it's safer," Sophia called after him.

Shane paused briefly before grunting in acknowledgment.

Downstairs.

Audrey's gaze followed the mysterious man as he disappeared into the night, his cap still pulled low.

"That man is like a drawn bowstring," Audrey remarked.

Sophia smiled without comment.

Audrey mused, "A tomb raider?"

Sophia sipped her tea.

"What a waste," Audrey sighed.

"Some paths choose us," Sophia said quietly.

Audrey's expression darkened suddenly.

She thought of her lost son.

The privileged life he should have had—now who knew where he wandered?

The tea turned tasteless in her mouth.

Audrey stood to leave.

Parking lot.

As she opened her trunk to retrieve blueberries—

A sharp pain in her shoulder. Her purse was snatched!

A motorcycle roared into the distance.

Audrey started to give chase when a black streak shot past her.

Shane!

He rode a modified motorcycle like an arrow loosed from its bow.

Nineteen minutes later.

Shane returned and tossed her the purse.

"Check it."

Audrey detected the pride in his tone.

She opened the bag with a smile. "Nothing valuable inside. Thank you for the risk."

She offered him several stacks of cash.

Shane pushed them away. "Repaying a debt to Sophia."

With a roar of the engine, he vanished into the night.

Audrey watched him go, the corner of her mouth lifting.

She dialed her assistant. "Order an MTT Y2K Turbine Superbike."

Hanging up, she smiled with determination.

There wasn't a debt in this world Audrey Sullivan couldn't repay.