I opened my laptop and logged into the financial news portals.

The Hayes Development stock price was down thirty-two percent in afternoon trading.

The board of directors had released a formal statement.

They officially distanced themselves from Victor, promising full cooperation with the SEC.

There was also a short statement from Brooke’s attorney.

“Ms. Brooke Vance has ended her professional association with Mr. Hayes.”

“She has had no knowledge of, nor involvement in, his personal financial decisions.”

I smiled slightly and closed the laptop screen.

Brooke was smart.

She knew when to abandon a sinking ship to save her own skin.

I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window and watched the clouds.

When I landed in Seattle, the weather was a sharp contrast to Miami.

A cold, grey drizzle was falling over the tarmac.

I took a car directly to the downtown legal offices of Price & Associates.

Evelyn Price had flown out on an earlier flight to coordinate with the local team.

The receptionist led me to a conference room on the thirty-eighth floor.

The windows looked out over the foggy harbor.