Nathaniel reached into his drawer and pulled out a thick manila file.

He laid it on the desk but did not open it.

“Before I sign anything, Arthur, I want to talk about Claire Ellis,” Nathaniel said.

Arthur froze, his hand hovering over the latch of his briefcase.

The silence stretched between them, heavy and dangerous.

In the study, I felt Ruby’s hand slip into mine again, cold and trembling.

On the security monitor behind Nathaniel’s desk, a small red light began to flash.

The elevator doors in the lobby downstairs closed, and a heavy metal grate slid down over the main entrance.

Arthur looked at the red light on the monitor, then slowly turned his gaze back to Nathaniel.

“What is the meaning of this, Nathaniel?” Arthur asked, his voice losing its oily warmth.

He stepped back from the desk.

His leather briefcase was clutched tight against his chest.

Nathaniel did not move.

“I told you there was an emergency board meeting, Arthur,” Nathaniel said.

His voice was flat, like stone.

“There is no meeting, is there?” Arthur said, looking toward the locked glass doors of the executive suite.