The wind sound died down, replaced by a hollow, echoing silence.

Adrian was inside.

“You’re late,” a voice said.

It was Leo.

His voice sounded thin, raspy, and completely devoid of the warmth he used to fake at our family dinners.

“The roads are bad,” Adrian’s voice replied.

His voice was calm, almost conversational.

“Did you bring them?” Leo asked.

“They’re here,” Adrian said.

I heard the sound of footsteps on concrete.

“Let me see the drive,” Leo said.

“We talk first,” Adrian said. “I want to know how long you’ve been talking to the commission behind my back.”

“Does it matter?” Leo said. “You got soft, Adrian. Ever since she got pregnant again, you’ve been looking for an exit.”

“I was securing our future,” Adrian said.

“You were giving away our territory,” Leo spat. “You were going to let the feds have the docks just to keep your wife out of a courtroom.”

“I did what was necessary,” Adrian said.

“Well, now I’m doing what’s necessary,” Leo said.

I heard the distinct sound of a gun slide racking.

My heart stopped.