Aunt Caroline looked at me, her eyes tired and sunken.

“I am sorry,” Caroline said.

“For what?” I asked.

“For not stopping Marcus sooner,” Caroline said.

“I was just so afraid of losing everything,” Caroline said.

“We almost did,” I said.

“But we still have the ridge,” I said.

“Go to bed, Aunt Caroline,” I said.

She nodded slowly and walked up the stairs, her steps heavy on the wood.

I stayed in the parlor for a long time, watching the dying embers in the fireplace.

The next morning, the rain had stopped, leaving a thick fog over the James River.

The sun was a pale white disk behind the gray clouds.

My phone rang at half past eight.

It was Lydia.

“The judge signed the injunction,” Lydia said.

“The auction is officially stayed,” Lydia said.

“What is the next step?” I asked.

“The state attorney is filing formal charges against Marcus and Warren,” Lydia said.

“They will be arraigned this afternoon,” Lydia said.

“Can I attend?” I asked.

“It is a public hearing,” Lydia said. “But it might be difficult to watch.”