For a long moment, there was only the sound of static and the faint rustle of rain against the cabin roof.

Then, a voice spoke, low and completely calm.

“Hello, Kiera,” Marcus said.

My throat went completely dry.

I squeezed the phone so hard my knuckles turned white.

“Marcus,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

“I think you have something that belongs to me,” Marcus said.

His voice was steady, like he was discussing a simple business transaction.

Outside, the wind gusted, throwing a sheet of rain against the cabin window.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lied.

A low chuckle came through the receiver.

“Let’s not waste time, Kiera,” Marcus said.

“You have the ledger, and you have the deeds.”

“I know Arthur gave them to you.”

I looked over at Arthur.

He was watching me, his eyes wide and anxious in the dim light of the oil lamp.

“Where is Thomas?” I asked, my voice shaking.

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line.

I heard the sound of a chair scraping against concrete.