“If the city condemns this place today, your eviction notices won’t matter,” she said.

“The tenants will have to leave immediately.”

“And you’ll buy the empty lot for pennies through your shell company,” Carl said.

“Exactly,” Mallerie said.

She threw her weight against the wrench.

The metal groaned.

A sharp hiss of steam escaped from the seal of the valve.

The air in the basement instantly grew warmer.

“Stop!” Derek shouted, stepping out from behind the wooden doors.

Mallerie froze, her eyes widening as she looked at her younger son.

“Derek?” she said. “What are you doing down here?”

“I’m stopping you,” Derek said.

“Get out of here,” Mallerie said, her voice turning cold.

“Go back to the apartment.”

“No,” Derek said.

He held up his phone, still recording.

“I’ve got everything on video,” he said.

“Every word you just said to Jake.”

Mallerie’s face twisted in rage.

“You little traitor,” she hissed.

“I did this for us.”

“You did this for yourself,” Derek said.

Mallerie turned back to the valve and pulled the wrench with all her strength.

A loud pop echoed through the basement.