The building was an imposing block of dark granite, its windows black.

Only the side entrance was lit by a single, yellow bulb.

Arthur was waiting under the awning, holding a large black umbrella.

Beside him stood Ruth.

She looked smaller than usual, her hair damp from the rain, but her eyes were fierce.

She held a thick, faded manila envelope clutched to her chest.

“Did you get them?” Daniel asked as we ran up the steps.

“Every single one,” Ruth said, her voice steady.

“Evelyn wrote down everything the board did.”

“The threats, the money, the coercion.”

“It is all in here, Daniel.”

We hurried inside the quiet, cavernous hallway.

Our footsteps echoed loudly on the polished marble.

The air smelled of old paper and damp wool.

We took the elevator to the third floor, where the emergency chambers were located.

Two men in expensive, dark suits were already standing outside the oak doors.

They were the board’s primary attorneys, Mr. Vance and Mr. Croft.

Vance looked up, his face hardening when he saw Daniel.

“Mr. Whitmore,” Vance said, stepping forward to block our path.