Three rings, a pause, then two more.

“He is trying to reach you,” Julian said, noticing the screen.

“He is desperate,” I said.

“He wants to offer you a deal to come back,” Julian said with a short, dry laugh. “He thinks he can buy your loyalty again.”

“My loyalty was never for sale,” I said. “He paid for my labor.”

“And now I am paying for your retirement,” Julian said.

I set the burner phone down on the table, face up.

“I need time to think,” I said.

“We do not have time,” Julian said. “The police will have the Pier 42 reports filed by midnight. Once the warrants are signed, Arthur’s assets will be frozen.”

“Then your check will be useless,” I said.

“My bank is in Zurich,” Julian said. “The funds are cleared. They do not depend on Arthur’s survival.”

I looked at the gold pen again.

If I took the money, I would be running from Arthur’s remaining loyalists for the rest of my life.

If I stayed, Julian would eventually lose his patience.