“I secured our future,” I said. “And yours, if you play your cards right.”

Derek didn’t look happy.

He looked like he was about to throw up.

He reached into his pocket, his hand lingering inside his jacket for a long moment.

He pulled his hand out, empty, and wiped his palm on his jeans.

“This isn’t right,” Derek said, shaking his head.

“It is exactly right,” I told him. “Carl is old. He doesn’t have the vision for this place.”

“He’s a good man,” Derek muttered.

“Good men get run over in this city, Derek. You should know that by now.”

I took a slow sip of my water.

“Go to your room and wash up,” I ordered. “Jake will be home soon with the rest of the paperwork.”

Derek didn’t move.

He kept his eyes glued to the basement door.

I could see a strange tension in his shoulders.

He was hiding something.

“Did you hear me?” I asked, my voice dropping.

“Yeah,” Derek said. “I heard you.”

He turned and walked down the short hallway toward his bedroom, but his footsteps were slow and heavy.