The beam of a powerful flashlight cut through the darkness of the entry hall.

“Nora?” Elaine’s voice echoed in the cavernous space.

“I’m in here,” I called out, keeping my voice shaky.

Elaine walked into the main room, her heavy wool coat buttoned to her chin.

She lowered her flashlight, pointing it at the floor between us so she could see my face.

“You look cold,” she said, her voice remarkably calm.

“I am,” I said, crossing my arms. “Did you bring the car?”

“It’s parked outside,” she said. “Where is the drive?”

I reached into my pocket, my fingers brushing against the recorder before I pulled out a dummy flash drive I had taken from the server room.

“It’s right here,” I said, holding it up in the dim light. “But I want answers first, Elaine.”

Elaine took a step forward, her eyes locked on the drive.

“This isn’t the time for games, Nora,” she said. “We need to leave before Damon’s people find us.”

“They won’t find us here,” I said. “But I need to know. Why did you do it?”