The inside of the box was lined with dark red velvet that smelled faintly of sweet wood.

I laid the brass key down in the center of the red velvet lining.

The phone on the desk rang twice before I picked up the receiver.

It was Assistant Prosecutor Vance calling from the county court building.

“Ms.

Moreno, we are finalizing the criminal indictment against your brother, Julian,” Prosecutor Vance said.

“We are documenting sixteen counts of wire fraud and grand theft,” he continued.

“Do you intend to submit a formal statement requesting maximum prison time?” he asked.