“Cole Brantley is a licensed professional who has handled the Hayes family collection for over fifteen years.”

“He told us we were entirely within our rights,” Evan added quickly, his voice cracking slightly as he looked at the floor.

“Quiet, Evan,” Lydia said from behind me, her legal pad ready.

Vivian ignored her, focusing her gaze entirely on the deputy.

“Deputy, my late husband’s estate is highly complex, and the probate laws in this state are notoriously dense,” Vivian said.

She smoothed the front of her designer knit skirt with a slow, deliberate stroke of her hand.

“Mr. Brantley assured us that the cellar assets were legally accessible during the probate period.”

“He explained that since the wine was subject to temperature degradation, taking inventory was a matter of preservation.”

“We were acting on professional advice to protect the estate’s value.”

I looked at the mahogany table, then at the dust-covered bottles of Chateau Latour standing in a neat row.

The smell of damp earth and aged cork clung to the air in Sloane’s dining room.

“Preservation?” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.