“And I know Vance’s men are still listening on the shortwave radios.”

“They are sitting in the black van by the crane.”

I looked toward the shadows near the loading dock.

“They are waiting to see if the money clears.”

“But they do not know that Victor Salvi froze those specific accounts two hours ago.”

Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The silver-haired patriarch leaned over the railing.

“You are a clever girl, Maeve,” Victor said.

“But cleverness does not stop a bullet.”

“It stops a mercenary,” I said.

I kept my eyes on the dark corner where I knew the radio receivers were active.

“Vance is listening.”

“He knows my father promised him funds from the north harbor docks.”

“But Declan Rourke took control of those docks yesterday at noon.”

Declan chuckled, a low rumble in his chest.

“That I did,” Declan said.

“Every single crate of it.”

“Which means Richard’s collateral is gone,” I said.

“He is offering you ghost money, Vance.”

The silence in the warehouse became heavy, punctuated only by the dripping of rainwater from the ceiling.

Richard’s hand began to tremble.