“Marcus, you can’t ignore the sheriff,” Aunt Caroline whispered, her fingers twisting her pearl necklace.

“It is a civil matter until they serve a warrant, Caroline,” Marcus said.

Lydia Crane did not look away from Warren.

“It becomes a criminal matter the moment the commonwealth attorney signs the indictment,” Lydia said.

She tapped her pen on the edge of her laptop.

“And I have already drafted the initial filing.”

Warren looked up, his eyes watery behind his sliding spectacles.

He wiped his forehead with a linen handkerchief that was gray with sweat.

“It wasn’t my idea,” Warren said, his voice cracking.

“Warren, shut your mouth,” Marcus snapped.

“No, Marcus, I won’t go to prison for you,” Warren said, his voice rising.

He looked at Aunt Caroline, then turned his gaze to me.

“Your grandfather trusted me with the estate accounts,” Warren said.

“He trusted you because you promised to protect the ridge,” I said.

“I tried,” Warren said, shaking his head.

“He didn’t try hard enough,” Marcus sneered.

Warren stood up so fast his chair scraped loudly against the oak floorboards.