It was a private line, one that only bypassed the main switchboard for emergencies.

The screen showed an incoming call from the firm’s chief compliance auditor.

Arthur stopped talking.

Everyone looked at the phone.

The vibration hummed against the wood, a low, urgent sound.

Arthur reached out and pressed the speaker button.

“Arthur,” a panicked voice came through the speaker. “We have a major problem.”

“We just received an anonymous tip about a secondary set of accounts.”

“The federal regulators are already on their way to the lobby.”

Ethan’s attorney froze.

Arthur looked up, his eyes locking onto Ethan.

Ethan’s face went completely white.

He looked at his phone as it began to ring in his pocket.

Ethan’s phone kept vibrating against his thigh, a muffled, frantic buzz.

He did not reach for it.

Arthur did not hang up the speakerphone.

“How far out are they, Sarah?” Arthur asked, his voice dead and cold.

“They just entered the elevator bay,” the auditor’s voice crackled. “They have a warrant for the server logs and Ethan’s office.”

The junior attorney took a step back, his leather portfolio slipping slightly in his grip.