She laid it on the table next to the blue folder.

“We are also serving a freeze order on all accounts associated with the estate of Sophia’s mother,” Vance said.

“To ensure no further unauthorized attempts are made to transfer funds.”

“This includes the joint account you tried to access yesterday, Ethan.”

Ethan let out a low, ragged breath.

He looked like a man who had just realized the floor beneath him had completely vanished.

“Sophia,” he said, his voice pleading now.

“Please.”

“Tell them it was a misunderstanding.”

“Tell them we can pay it back.”

“With what, Ethan?” I asked.

“You don’t have any money.”

“And neither does Ryan.”

Suddenly, Ryan’s cell phone began to ring from inside his pocket.

The sound was loud, a generic electronic chirp that broke the tension in the room.

Everyone froze.

Ryan’s hand twitched toward his pocket.

“Do not reach for your phone, Mr. Vance,” the agent near the sideboard warned.

The phone kept ringing, its screen flashing a bright blue light through the fabric of Ryan’s jacket.

Then, from the driveway outside, the sound of tires crunching on gravel echoed through the walls.