I turned to Marco.

“Keep him here until Miller arrives,” I said. “Then hand him over.”

“Yes, sir,” Marco said.

I walked back to the main house.

The rain was stopping, leaving the forest quiet and dripping.

I went back to my study and sat in the dark.

I did not want to sleep.

I wanted to see the morning sun rise over the mountains.

Around six, the light began to filter through the trees.

It was a pale gray, then a soft orange.

I went down to the kitchen.

The smell of hot coffee was already in the air.

Mrs. Gable was standing by the stove, flipping pancakes.

“Good morning, Mr. Steel,” she said, without turning around.

“Good morning, Mrs. Gable,” I said. “Make sure the children have everything they need.”

“They are good kids,” she said. “They just need some quiet.”

“They will have it here,” I said.

I took my coffee and walked to the library.

My legal team arrived at eight.

Mr. Harris, my chief counsel, looked tired but pleased.

He carried a thick leather folder.