I stood my ground, my hand still resting on the brass door handle, waiting for his decision.

The red light on the desk phone stopped flashing, and then, a second later, my own cell phone began to vibrate in my coat pocket.

I pulled the phone from my pocket and glanced at the screen.

The caller ID showed an unknown local number.

I let it ring, my thumb hovering over the silence button as the footsteps reached the second-floor landing.

Detective Miller appeared in the doorway, his damp trench coat smelling of the autumn rain outside.

Two uniformed officers stood right behind him, their utility belts clinking with every small movement.

“Mr. Carter,” Miller said, looking directly at Richard.

Margaret let out a sharp, trembling breath and pressed her back against the bookshelf.

“We have a warrant to search the premises and secure all financial ledgers associated with Carter Development,” Miller continued.

Richard looked at the detective, then down at the blue folder still tucked under my arm.

The retired banker’s face seemed to age five years in the span of a single breath.