“Beatrice wouldn’t show up here herself,” I said, though my voice trembled.

“You don’t know her like I do,” Darrow said. “She is desperate. If this gets to the federal prosecutors, she loses everything.”

Liam shone the flashlight toward the ceiling, checking the backup sprinkler system.

The green indicator light on the wall unit was completely dark.

“They’ve cut the main breakers and the auxiliary generator,” Liam said.

He walked over to the large floor-to-ceiling window.

Down below, the streets of the coastal city were still bright with streetlights and moving traffic.

The blackout was local, restricted only to this building.

“We need to get out of here,” Liam said, turning back to me.

He reached out and took my hand.

His grip was warm and firm, a stark contrast to the icy dread pooling in my stomach.

“What about Darrow?” I asked.

“He’s coming with us,” Liam said. “He’s going to tell the police everything he just told me.”

Darrow swallowed hard, his collar soaked with perspiration.

“I can’t go to the police,” Darrow muttered. “She’ll have me killed before I reach the precinct.”