“I saw her leaving your office.”

“She threatened me,” I said.

“But she just gave me the one thing she shouldn’t have.”

“What is that?”

“Confidence,” I said.

I gathered the papers from the table, sliding the county records and the Bay Street work order back into my bag.

The rain outside seemed to slacken, the heavy clouds parting just enough to let a pale, watery light filter through the window.

I stood up, smoothed my skirt, and walked out of the reading room.

As I entered the main hallway, the door to the library swung open.

Grant stood in the doorway, his tie slightly loosened, his face pale and strained.

Vanessa stood just behind him, her eyes darting nervously toward my bag.

“Emma,” Grant said, stepping into my path.

“We need to talk before you go into that conference room.”

“There is nothing left to discuss, Grant,” I said.

“You don’t understand what you’re doing,” Vanessa said, her voice tight with controlled panic.

“You’re going to ruin everything.”

I looked at them both, feeling a sudden, cold clarity.

“No,” I said, stepping past them.