From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Natchez Burning trilogy?Natchez Burning?? The Bone Tree?? and the upcoming Mississippi Blood?comes this e-original novella featuring former prosecutor Penn Cage?? a story of family secrets and justice denied?? plus an excerpt from Natchez Burning.

Death is the end?? and if a man doesn't speak before it silences him?? then his deepest secrets go with him.

When a heart attack sends Penn's father?? Tom Cage?? to the ER?? Tom begs that his son be brought to his side to hear a dying declaration. But when Penn arrives?? Tom denies ever making the request?keeping his secrets for another day.

The emergency hurls Penn back to a chilling case in Houston?? where he worked in a DA's office known as the "ry??"which sent more killers to death row than any other in America. While Penn cares for his ailing wife?? a tormented forensic technician brings him evidence of a crime lab in chaos?? throwing past convictions into doubt and begging Penn to prevent an imminent travesty of justice. With the desperation of a man fighting death in his own home?? Penn must find a way to bring the machinery of the death factory to a halt.