“Julian’s firm is going through a temporary cash squeeze.

If he loses his commercial office downtown, the whole family feels it.”

“This is David’s home,” I said.

“It belongs to me.”

“A family house belongs to the family, not just to whoever’s holding the paperwork,” Arthur said.

He rose from his chair and planted both palms flat on the dining table.

“Your sister has a household to keep up, and Julian needs a working base until his federal contract accounts clear.”

“Which federal accounts?” I asked.