Julian walked straight past three waiting neighbors and stopped right in front of me near the flower stand.

His eyes scanned my black dress before stopping at my collar.

The thin steel chain had shifted under my neckline, leaving the sharp outline of the brass key visible against the fabric over my chest.

Julian cut right in front of Uncle Raymond.

“Give me the key right now, Elena,” Julian said.

He spoke loudly enough that two cousins near the doorway stopped talking.

I cleared my throat gently before speaking.