Cole took a step forward, his boot heel clicking on the bare edge of the floor where the rug didn’t reach.

“Don’t be foolish, Eleanor.”

“If you don’t show up, they’ll issue a warrant for your arrest as a material witness.”

“You’ll be held in a military brig before you can find a civilian lawyer.”

“They have to find me first,” I said.

I moved to the side of the desk, keeping the heavy wood between us.

My hand found the small latched window behind the curtain.

It led to the side porch, where the old trellis of ivy ran down to the driveway.

“You still think the system works,” Cole said, his voice sounding almost pitying.

“Even your father knew when to bend.”

“He didn’t bend,” I said.

“That’s why you had to turn the wheel of his car.”

He didn’t deny it.

He didn’t move toward me either, perhaps knowing that any physical struggle in this house would leave marks he couldn’t explain to Albright.

“The committee meets at nine,” I said, my fingers unlocking the window sash with a tiny, metallic click.