“It is done,” I said, closing the laptop lid. “You are on the list. You will get your physical security passes at the media entrance.”

“Thank you, Kate,” Arthur said.

He did not sound grateful. He sounded satisfied.

I stood up, my knees trembling so hard I had to touch the edge of the desk for support.

“Can I go home now?” I asked.

“You cannot go to your apartment,” Arthur said. “Not while that car is parked outside.”

“Then where am I supposed to go?”

“There is a guest suite behind that door,” Arthur said, pointing to a dark wood panel in the corner of the office. “You will sleep there. You will be safe.”

Before I could answer, my phone began to vibrate again on the desk.

The screen lit up.

It was not a text message this time.

It was an incoming call from a restricted number.

Arthur watched the screen, his expression hardening.

“Answer it,” he said quietly. “Put it on speaker.”

I reached out and swiped the green bar.

My hand was shaking. I pressed the speaker icon.

“Kate?”