I looked out over the grey water of Lake Michigan.

The sun had slipped below the Chicago skyline, leaving only a dark purple smudge on the horizon.

“What happens to the Boston projects?” I asked.

“They are going on the block,” Julian said. “The receivers are desperate for cash to settle the outstanding structural claims in San Francisco.”

He paused, and I heard the faint rustle of papers on his end of the line.

“This is our window, Claire,” Julian continued. “The capital from our waterfront development is secured, and my investment group is ready to back you.”

“To buy them out?” I asked.

“To buy everything,” Julian said. “We can acquire their entire infrastructure for pennies on the dollar at the bankruptcy auction. But we need to act quickly.”

My chest tightened, not with fear, but with a sudden, cold clarity.

“I want the proprietary concrete patents,” I said. “And the regional offices.”

“You can have all of it,” Julian said. “We will clear the Bennett name off the door. You will build your own firm from their foundation.”