“We’ve got a clear way forward now,” Evelyn said, her voice laced with sharp, passive-aggressive warmth.

“Everything can go back to the way it ought to be.”

I reached down and picked the pale blue check up off the glass table.

“You don’t want family unity,” I said, my voice measured and calm.

“Madison, please,” Evelyn said, her hand flying up to her silk scarf.

“You need my signature today because your bank audit is set for November twentieth,” I said.

Richard’s face went hard, and his right hand went straight to his left cufflink.