“It’s over, Arthur,” Julian said.

“The feds don’t wait when they get a drop like this.”

“They’ve had those warrants sitting on a judge’s desk for three weeks.”

“They were just waiting for Clara to provide the key.”

I looked at Julian.

He was smiling, but his eyes were cold and calculating.

He wasn’t here to save me.

He was here to see if he could salvage any piece of the Costello empire before the government took it all.

“You knew,” Arthur said, his voice rising in pitch.

“You knew she was going to do this!”

“I suspected,” Julian said, slipping his lighter back into his pocket.

“Clara is a very thorough planner.”

“She didn’t just leave you, Arthur. She built a cage for you.”

Julian took out his own mobile phone.

He began typing a message with his thumb, his fingers moving with practiced speed.

“What are you doing?” Arthur demanded, his arm shaking.

“I’m calling my people,” Julian said without looking up.

“The Costello warehouses in the port are going to be empty by the time the police arrive.”