She wore a dark trench coat flecked with rain, and her face was pale from the cold outside.

“I have the certified copies from the county clerk, Mr. Voss,” Clara said.

She handed the yellow manila folder to Julian, her hand trembling slightly.

Julian took the folder, his fingers tracing the red wax seal on the front.

“Thank you, Clara,” Julian said. “Did the bank manager receive the digital filing?”

“He did,” Clara said. “The emergency injunction was uploaded to the state registry twenty minutes ago.”

Graham took a step toward Julian, his hands balled into fists inside his coat pockets.

“What injunction?” Graham demanded, his voice echoing off the high rafters.

Julian did not look up from the paperwork.

He pulled a sleek black tablet from his leather briefcase and tapped the screen.

“The court order freezing all corporate and personal assets associated with the Caldwell Estate,” Julian said.

His voice was flat, devoid of any anger or triumph.

“As of this moment, Graham, your signature will not clear a single check,” Julian added.