I deleted the message.

I called Marcus, my former lead draftsman who was still working at Bennett Urban Systems.

“Marcus, it’s Claire,” I said when he answered.

“Claire, thank God,” Marcus whispered. “It’s a madhouse here. Adrian is screaming at the partners.”

“Did they submit the harbor bid?” I asked.

“They tried,” Marcus said. “The city compliance officer rejected it within an hour because your license wasn’t attached.”

“And Adrian?”

“He’s panicking,” Marcus said. “But Serena is in his office right now. She brought in some papers.”

“What kind of papers?” I asked.

“She’s telling him she can bypass the city contract entirely,” Marcus said. “She says she has investors in London who want to fund a private commercial development.”

“Did she name them?” I asked.

“I saw the letterhead on her folder,” Marcus said. “Something called Vanguard Sterling Trust. She says they have twenty million ready to wire.”

“I see,” I said. “Keep your head down, Marcus. I’ll have a position open for you in Chicago next month if you want it.”

“I’ll pack my bags tonight,” he said.