“But we can protect her,” I said. “We can bring her under our wing, offer her a deposition with whistleblower protections.”

“If she has those records, she holds the key to the entire Harrow empire,” Naomi said.

She rubbed her temples, looking at the rain-streaked window.

“Conrad will do anything to keep those secret,” Naomi added quietly. “And I don’t mean that metaphorically.”

I sat opposite her on the single armchair.

The room smelled of stale coffee and the damp air Naomi had brought in with her.

“What do we do?” I asked.

“We get her to a safe location first,” Naomi said. “I’ll draft a non-disclosure and cooperation agreement. We promise her our full legal representation and defense against the Harrows if she hands over the encrypted files.”

“Will she trust us?” I asked.

“She doesn’t have a choice,” Naomi replied. “Conrad is hunting her. She knows she is safer with us than running alone.”

Naomi opened her briefcase and pulled out a yellow legal pad.

She began scribbling notes, the scratch of her pen loud in the quiet room.