“If the collateral is fraudulent, we are legally obligated to freeze all connected accounts within the hour,” Sterling said.

Graham stood up so fast his chair scraped loudly against the hardwood floor.

“You can’t do this to my mother!” he yelled. “It will destroy her social standing! People will know we are broke!”

“You are broke, Graham,” I said softly. “You have been living on stolen money and my silence.”

I picked up the heavy black pen Arthur Vance offered me.

The ink was dark and thick.

I held the pen over the signature line.

Graham took a step toward me, his face twisted in anger.

“If you sign that, I will take the girls,” he threatened, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “I’ll tell the court you’re unstable. I’ll make sure you never see Ruby and Hazel again.”

I paused, looking up at him.

My heart hammered against my ribs, but my hand remained steady.

“You don’t have the money for a lawyer, Graham,” I said. “And by tomorrow afternoon, your mother won’t either.”

I pressed the pen to the paper.