“I will catch her before the others arrive.”

I began copying the files onto the two flash drives I had found in the safe.

The progress bar crept slowly across the screen, torturing me with every percentage point.

The wind rattled the loose windowpane in the kitchen.

Outside, the rain was coming down harder now, drumming against the roof.

“Emma, are you still there?” Dina asked, her voice crackling.

“I’m here,” I said. “The files are almost copied.”

“I hear something,” Dina said suddenly.

Her voice dropped to a whisper, almost lost in the static of the connection.

“What is it?” I asked, freezing.

“Someone just walked into the reception area here at the main office,” she whispered.

“I thought everyone had left for the evening.”

“Who is it?” I asked.

“I can’t see from my desk,” Dina said. “But I hear footsteps heading toward the executive suite.”

“It might be Grant returning.”

“Or Helen.”

“Stay quiet,” I said. “Don’t let them know you’re there.”

“I’m downloading the last folder now,” I added, watching the screen hit ninety percent.

“I’m leaving the cottage in two minutes.”