Chapter 3

As soon as I said that, the atmosphere in the room changed.

Jack's hand started to tremble. It wasn't because he was angry.

He was sixty-two, and had early symptoms of Parkinson's.

But at that moment, his hand was shaking worse than ever.

"Rachel," he said, his voice hoarse. "I know you've had it rough these past few years. But Eric really has no other way out.

"Those people said if he doesn't come up with the money by Thanksgiving Day, they'll take one of his fingers."

When he mentioned "one of his fingers", his eyes grew red with emotion.