“Will it be enough to stop them?”

“It’s enough to freeze all of the senator’s assets by morning,” Julian said. “And to issue arrest warrants for everyone involved.”

The ground sloped downward, the sound of crashing waves growing louder.

We emerged into a boathouse, the dark water of Lake Michigan churning beneath the wooden slats.

The cold air hit us like a wall, smelling of salt and frozen iron.

A sleek black SUV was parked inside the secondary garage bay of the boathouse, its engine already running silently.

Marcus, Julian’s driver, stood by the rear door, his eyes scanning the dark water outside.

“Get in,” Julian told us, placing Emma gently into the back seat.

I climbed in beside her, pulling a wool blanket over her shoulders to shield her from the drafts.

Margaret sat in the front passenger seat, her eyes fixed on the driveway ahead.

Julian didn’t get in. He stood by the open door, looking back toward the main house.

“Aren’t you coming?” I asked, my hand reaching for the edge of his coat.