“They can’t prove conspiracy,” he said, though his hands were shaking as he picked up his phone again. “The zoning variance was approved by the board.”

“Warren forged the county surveyor’s signature, Marcus,” I said. “They have the original documents.”

Marcus stared at me, his mouth opening slightly but no words coming out.

“He’s right, Marcus,” Aunt Caroline said, her voice rising in panic. “We are ruined.”

She stood up so fast her chair scraped loudly against the floorboards.

“We’ll lose the house,” she sobbed. “The newspapers will have our names on the front page.”

“Shut up, Caroline,” Marcus snarled. “I can handle this.”

“You can’t handle anything,” Blake said, stepping into the kitchen.

Blake stood beside Aunt Caroline, putting a steadying hand on her shoulder.

“Marcus has proven he is a liability,” Blake said, looking directly at Aunt Caroline.

Aunt Caroline looked at Blake, then at me, her chest heaving as she tried to breathe.

“He has the power of attorney,” she whispered. “He controls the estate’s decisions.”

“We can change that,” Blake said quietly.

Marcus took a step toward Blake, his fists clenching at his sides.