“Please,” he said, his voice unsteady, “you have to talk to your brother. He’s in trouble at work—about to lose his job. I know you two had a falling out, but he needs your help.”

I met his gaze steadily. “Oh, I know,” I said softly, a small, ironic smile playing on my lips. “That was the plan.”

Dad blinked, taken aback. “What do you mean?”

“It means,” I explained, “that Derek’s behavior has consequences. He thought he could act without repercussions, but maybe now he’ll understand that his actions have weight.”