There is a DC short about the character Death (she's looks like a goth chic) and it as beautiful as it is depressing. Not the best thing for a grieving daughter to watch, but I love the character and it is well done. My random observation of the day.

Chapter Seven:

I signed in and was waved through security at the local penitentiary. August was waiting behind a window.

"Can you believe they denied me bail?" was the first thing he said.

There were bruises on his face and his knuckles had fresh scaring. Prison was not treating him well.

"I can argue both sides," I said carefully. "It was also just your bad luck that the prosecutor happened to have worked with Spencer."

"That should have been conflict of interest!" he said.

"It didn't help that you were arrested during Rio Olympic games for drunken disorderly conduct."

August stared at me.

"You're really on his side, aren't you?"

"Why did you want to meet with me anyway?" I asked.

"I want you to talk some sense into my half-brother," he said. "Get him to drop the charges."

"August, you hit him pretty hard," I said. "The swelling still hasn't gone down."

"It was a crime of impulse," he said. "I didn't mean to hit him that hard."

"As someone who hasn't dealt much with criminal defense, but still knows the law, here is my advice: Take a plea. Your record isn't clean so you may have to do the max, but it is better than the three to five your facing."

"I did nothing wrong!" he shouted. "I am entitled to everything in that house. That will is bull!"

"You really thought you could persuade me to your side with this attitude?"

"Come on cousin," he said in a softer tone. "We've known each other our whole lives. You've only known him a few days. Can't you help me out?"

"August, I am helping. Take a plea and show remorse. Get rid of the rich kid attitude or things are going to get worse for you."

"Nico," he said slowly. "What did I ever do to piss you off?"

"You and Carina have shown up to parties at my house drunk to start off with," I said. "You called the car my husband worked so hard to afford a 'pimpmobile.' Whatever I have gotten either you or Carina as gifts, you always look around the box for a receipt in front of me. Oh, when we were in high school, Uncle Jacob asked me to tutor you and I refused to simply do your homework, you spread a rumor at my school that I had lost my virginity as a freshman."

"So, this is payback," he said.

"Or karma, or you and Carina simply finally facing serious consequences for past misdeeds. I'll offer one more word of advice. Make peace with Spencer. He is a really nice guy and just wants to do what is right."

"Do you like him like him?"

"Yuck, no! I also love my husband for crying out loud!"

"I got even worse news since that video surfaced," he groaned. "Not only have I been kicked out of my poker league, my rideshare service has dropped me, and I was identified as the one who graffitied the Jensen Tech building downtown. So, I have to pay five thousand for something I did when I was drunk three years ago."

"Your father did say in the video there'd be consequence if you harmed Spencer," I said. "Keywords in the arrest report probably activated the algorithm."

"Am I really a bad person, Nico?" he asked.

"August, if ever there is time to turn things around it would be now. Spencer doesn't want to drop the charge because you shown a history of bad decisions. Be smart, take a plea and try to work with him and maybe things will improve."

"But he took everything from me!" he said. "He took my inheritance. I had plans for that money."

"August, are you in the red with anyone?" I asked seriously.

"Would you care if I was?"

"Is anyone after you?" I asked.

"I've gotten threats," he said. "If I could have pawned that watch, I wouldn't be worrying about my finances."

"For crying out loud," I said with frustration. "Why didn't you just take the two hundred fifty mil?"

"Because I want to get into a better league," he said. "I want to be taken seriously on the international level and start competing in places like Dubai. I don't care what Spencer says. I am a top-notch player."

I sighed.

"I'm not getting through to you, am I?"

"He won't drop the charges, will he?"

"No."

"Well this was a nice waste of time," he said. "Carina told me it would be."

"Good luck August," I said as I stood up.

"If you really meant that you'd talk to Spencer."

I glared at him and then walked away.

…

I found Spencer reading up on the history of the company when I came in.

"How is August?" he asked.

"Prison isn't treating him nicely," I said.

"What did he want?"

"He wanted me to convince you to drop the charges."

"I assumed as much," he said with a sigh.

"How's that eye?" I asked.

"It looks worse than it feels," he said.

"I am a little worried," I said. "It sounds like he might be getting close to going in the red with some shady characters."

"The way he plays, that doesn't surprise me," he said. "I am prepared to bail him out of that sort of trouble if he agrees to go into rehab and quit gamboling."

"Your sensible solutions clash with their irrational way of thinking," I said. "He turned down the money because he wants to get into bigger leagues."

"They wouldn't take him," he said. "August doesn't have the winning record needed to qualify. It isn't just about money."

Spencer yawned.

"Do you want to go home for the night?" he asked.

"Would you mind?" I asked.

"I changed all the locks and alarm codes. I feel safer."

"I'll see you tomorrow for dinner," I said.

"Bring the boys," I said. "I look forward to meeting them and your husband."

"Sounds like fun," I said.

"Good night, Nico," he said with a wave.

"Good night, Spencer," I said.

I walked out of the house and into the quiet night.