Then, the doorknob slowly began to turn.

The brass chain slid along its track and jerked to a violent stop.

The door remained cracked open by two inches.

“Emily,” Daniel said.

His voice was muffled by the thick wood, but I could hear his heavy breathing.

“Open the door, Emily.”

I did not move from the shadow of the kitchen wall.

“Go away, Daniel,” I said.

My voice sounded steadier than I felt.

“We need to talk about what you took from the office,” he said.

“There is nothing to talk about,” I said. “Our lawyers will do the talking tomorrow.”

He leaned his weight against the door, making the brass chain rattle.

“You don’t know what you’re playing with,” he whispered. “You’re going to ruin everything.”

“You did that yourself,” I said.

I lifted my phone so he could see the screen glowing through the gap.

“I have my finger on the emergency dial,” I said. “If you don’t leave in five seconds, the police will be here.”

He fell silent on the other side of the door.

I counted the seconds in my head.