I pressed the receiver to my ear, my back turned to the door where Elias had just exited.

“Ava,” a voice whispered.

It was Daniel.

“Don’t get in his car,” Daniel said, his voice urgent but muffled.

“He knows about the clinic, Daniel,” I said, my voice shaking as I clutched the phone. “He threatened Clara’s funding. He is going to ruin her.”

“I know what he’s capable of,” Daniel said. “Listen to me carefully. There is a side door through the pantry at the back of the library. A taxi is waiting on the corner of Elm Street.”

“Why are you helping me?” I asked, my grip tightening on the plastic phone. “You are his oldest friend.”

“Because Elias has lost his mind,” Daniel said. “And because I want to see him fall just as much as you do. Go to Boston. I sent a contact to your secure email. Her name is Eleanor Vance. She is the only attorney in New England who isn’t afraid of the King family.”

The line went dead before I could ask another question.