For two years he had operated in a world of improvisation, of pressure applied gradually, of a situation he could keep managing because no one with any real power was paying attention.

And now, all at once, three vehicles had pulled up in careful order, and he understood that someone with power had been paying very close attention indeed, and had spent the afternoon getting ready, and that the improvising was over.

Chapter 15 — The Property Owner

Julian, to his credit, tried.

He set his glass down on the little table by the door and crossed his arms and pulled himself up into the posture of a reasonable man dealing with an overreaction.

“Officers,” he said, “I appreciate you coming out, but this is a family misunderstanding, that’s all.