“And his rules died with him.”

Croft’s expression did not change, but I saw his fingers tighten on the handle.

“We shall see,” he said quietly.

He opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, leaving me alone in the dim room.

The rain continued to beat against the glass, a steady, relentless sound.

I walked over to the desk and picked up the blue folder.

The paper felt heavy, like a physical weight in my hands.

I knew what I had to do, and I knew the cost would be staggering.

But as I looked at the desk phone, my mind was already made up.

I picked up the receiver and dialed Ruth’s internal line.

“Ruth,” I said when she answered.

“Yes, Mr. Daniel?” her voice came through the line, sounding tired but alert.

“Please pack a small bag for the boys,” I said.

“We are going back to the hospital.”

“Of course, sir,” she said, not asking any questions.

“And Ruth?” I added.

“Yes, sir?”

“Find out who the head of public relations is for the firm these days,” I said.