“I have no association with my uncle’s personal accounting methods,” Julian said smoothly to the officers.

“He acted entirely on his own.”

“You liar!” Arthur shrieked, his face turning a deep, angry red. “You took half of the cash from the Brindlewood accounts last month!”

The lead officer stepped forward, pulling a pair of steel handcuffs from his belt.

“Arthur Dunleavy, you are under arrest,” the officer said, turning Arthur around and clicking the metal cuffs over his wrists.

The sound of the metal teeth locking echoed clearly in the quiet lobby.

Ruby hid her face against my coat, her hands gripping my pockets.

“It is over, Arthur,” Nathaniel said, his voice calm but absolute.

“You will not set foot on Brindlewood property again.”

“You think you’ve won, Graves?” Arthur spat, looking back over his shoulder as the officers began to lead him toward the doors.

“That place is a ruin. It’s sinking into the dirt, and you can’t save it.”

Nathaniel turned his back on Arthur, facing the wet glass and the small crowd of onlookers beginning to gather outside in the rain.