, their presence instantly silencing the crowd. "What's t

mmed me-five hundred dollars for a five-million-dollar treas

he Blackwood District, "making things right

y measured. "The transaction was completed willingly. Both parties agreed

coin in June's palm. Beside him, his pa

essed his earpiece. "Follow the rules," he said

ning to his earpiece. He turned back to

rom his upper lip. "Well

nforcer interrupted. "A deal struck

him forward. "It's fraud! She knew

cold laugh. Every he

You looked at treasure and saw trash. You named your price, and you took my money

the crowd; no one pitied a dealer who had priced himself int

le suit walked through the corrido

eone whispered. "Th

cted-his word was final. He approached Theodore with a polite nod. "M

in Julian's palm, his f

over and running his thumb across the corroded

e Sea.' Market value is between five and seven million dollars."

llapsed to the concrete, all

t law and attempting extortion, the judgment is the loss of your right hand, and

ice cracking. "No-please! I swear

him toward the back of the shelter. His ragged s

et, unsettled awe. Through all the screaming and pleading, June's expression

uced a tablet and completed the five-m

ced at the confirmation scree

ief. "The thanks are entirely mine. Please, would you join me

e, to breathe air that didn't smell of dust

away. "That girl, Barnaby.

ightened his jacket

of the alley when a shout split the silenc

ipped

ng from a gash above his eye. One of the attackers snatched the wooden box from Theodore's

. His face drained of color, shifting to a frightening, mot

dn't he

nding still; the next, she was sprinting down the dim alley, closing the di

ot to his feet. His calm curiosity vanis

apped at Leo. "Intercept them