“Did I say she was?”
“No.”
“Then stop inventing things.”
Gordon stepped toward the gate.
“County locked it.”
“There's nothing you can legally do tonight.”
Sophie pushed forward.
Gordon blocked the driveway.
Jack moved once.
Not aggressively.
Just enough that he now stood between Gordon and the girl.
Gordon looked up at him.
Jack was taller.
Broader.
But his hands remained loose.
“Move.”
Gordon’s voice sharpened.
Jack looked at Sophie.
“Do you want him blocking you?”
“No.”
Jack looked back.
“Then move.”
Gordon laughed in disbelief.
“You think wearing leather makes you somebody?”
“No.”
Jack’s expression stayed flat.
“But she asked you to move.”
Gordon looked around as though expecting witnesses.
There were none.
He stepped aside.
“Fine.”
Then pointed toward the garage.
“Go stare through windows.”
“You're still not getting inside.”
Sophie walked past him.
Jack followed.
Gordon called after them.
“Your father couldn't save this place.”
Sophie stopped.
Jack stopped too.
Gordon continued.
“You think there's some treasure in there?”
“There isn't.”
“Just old junk.”
“Bad memories.”
“Debt.”
Jack turned.
His expression had changed.
The gentleness he used with Sophie disappeared.
“Say whatever you want to me.”
His voice was low.
“Leave her father out of your mouth.”
Gordon stared.
Then smiled coldly.
“You don't even know David.”
“No.”
Jack stepped back toward Sophie.
“But I know what you're doing.”
Gordon’s smile vanished.
Sophie continued up the driveway.
Jack followed.
The front doors were exactly as she expected.
County chain.
Heavy padlock.
Yellow demolition notice behind cracked glass.
Gordon remained near his truck.
Watching.
Sophie set the toolbox down.
Jack examined the chain.
“No chance without cutting.”
“We're not cutting anything.”
“Good.”
“Because that looks expensive.”
Sophie went toward the side wall.
Blackberry vines had swallowed nearly everything.
She used one crutch tip to push branches aside.
Then another.
Jack stepped closer but stopped before touching the plants.
“Need me?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
She found the side door.
Barely visible.
Old cedar planks.
No obvious handle.
Sophie pulled a chain from beneath her shirt.
Tiny brass key.
Jack raised an eyebrow.
“Your dad liked puzzles.”
“I told you.”
She crouched awkwardly.
Inserted the key beneath a small wooden lip.
Turned.
Click.
The door opened inward.
Jack smiled.
Behind them, Gordon shouted.
“What are you doing?”
Sophie looked back.
“Opening my dad’s door.”
Gordon’s face changed.
It was the first time Jack saw real concern.
Not anger.
Concern.
“Sophie.”
She stepped inside.
Jack followed.
Gordon hurried up the driveway.
Jack turned inside the doorway.
“No.”