I closed my eyes, breathing in the scent of damp pine and old paper.

“And my parents?” I asked.

“Arthur and Helen were arrested at their townhouse an hour ago,” Detective Harris said.

“They are being held at the central precinct on charges of conspiracy and grand larceny.”

“Thank you, Detective,” I said.

“The prosecutor has the forged deeds,” he added. “The court order is already active.”

“The restaurants are yours again, Emily.”

“I understand,” I said.

“We will need you to sign the formal statements tomorrow morning,” he said.

“I will be there,” I replied.

I hung up the receiver and let my hand drop to my side.

Daniel stood near the kitchen island, his eyes fixed on me.

“They caught them,” I said.

Daniel let out a long breath, his shoulders dropping.

“It is over, then,” he said.

“The legal battle is won.”

A floorboard creaked in the hallway behind us.

I turned around slowly, my heart thumping against my ribs.

The shadow from the stairs had moved down into the foyer.

A figure stepped into the dim light of the kitchen doorway.