Chapter 24 · The Eve of War

The alert hit Marcus's phone like a slap. He didn't blink.

That was the part that got me. He read the screen, set his glass down on the windowsill without a sound, and stared out at the city like it had personally let him down.

"Say it out loud," I said. "I'm not a client you get to manage."

"Three vaults. Fifty-ninth floor." His voice was flat as a ruled line. "Deeds. Bearer certificates. The trust's original instruments. Sealed forty minutes ago."

"Sealed by who?"

"Board resolution. Emergency provision." He turned around. "Four of my own directors signed it."

I set my coffee down. It had gone cold an hour ago and I'd kept drinking it anyway, which tells you what kind of night it had been.

"Emergency provision under what article?"

"Helena."

"Under what article, Marcus."

He picked up his phone, thumbed it, and turned the screen at me. I read it twice. Then a third time, and something cold walked straight down the middle of my back.

"They're not robbing you," I said. "This is worse. This is a competency petition. They're not after the vaults. They're after you."

"Nine a.m. Surrogate's Court." He took the phone back.