“We need a moment,” Croft said.

Gloria and I sat in silence while the two men whispered near the window.

Richard was gesturing wildly, but Croft kept his voice low, pointing repeatedly at the financial analysis Gloria had provided.

After five minutes, they walked back to the table.

Richard looked smaller, his shoulders sagging slightly inside his expensive suit.

“We want a non-disclosure agreement regarding the financial records,” Croft said.

“Standard confidentiality is fine,” Gloria said.

“And the lock comes off the storage yard today,” I said. “By five o’clock.”

Richard wouldn’t look at me.

“Fine,” he said. “Get the papers ready.”

Gloria pulled a pre-drafted settlement agreement from her briefcase.

“I anticipated your cooperation,” she said, placing a pen on top of the document.

Richard grabbed the pen and scribbled his signature on the line.

He pushed the paper back to us, stood up, and walked out of the room without saying another word.

Croft gathered his folders and followed him, closing the glass door behind them.

I let out a breath I felt like I’d been holding for months.

“Is it over?” I asked.