“This isn’t a squeeze.

This is a collapse.”

“You don’t understand how modern real estate development works,” Brandon said, letting out a loud, booming laugh that sounded brittle in the quiet kitchen.

“Everybody runs on high leverage.

You bridge the gap with short-term credit lines.”

“What’s the real shortfall on Brandon’s condo project?” I asked Victoria.

Victoria turned her head away toward the lake view.

“Brandon is an ambitious developer,” Victoria said, her voice tight.