silent long after

htly in his hand while the city lights stretched endlessly beneath hi

this before peop

still yo

rassing th

cattered files on his desk, pretending n

oticed ev

ess in his

sened his tie

ffee was growing

ting?" Cole asked finally

mediately. "Yes. The Henderson pro

he inv

hem for three i

odded

Managing Director,"

him glance

MD

ll asking for clarification

k toward the de

ndled

m confidence in her voi

in his chair. "What ex

son meeting gives you more time to review the financial projections

accept

't reall

ssed Cole's expression for the

ecoming d

ghtly. "I learne

softened a li

omple

en

om across the desk. Rain had started falling outside, tapping steadily against

ecutive offices r

terrupted

ntered carrying another

e older man aske

omorrow's schedule,"

ly before turning towar

k you

ined the new arrangements smoothly, answering e

ghtly after Helen corrected one of his

fted immediate

laughter unsettle

use she

another ma

on irritated

ocument harder

Director no

didn't

he shift inside

ssive

e hat

ly left, silence settled

ime he

carefully while Cole stared at the s

table with him,"

up in confusi

lau

almost appeare

set because

n't sa

sound i

tightened

ike distraction

ly for a moment before

ounded weak

inue, his phone buzzed o

vi

ed the call

stration flash throug

bly talk to her,"

s chair. "Talking to my mother

surprised

briefly before

s have to carry

her quietly for

his express

erou

hings like that?"

e looks like they

tween them shi

per

rofess

st, standing from his chai

ould go

still

surv

ent completely and conti

silently from a

ever l

says the

rgaret softened h

iced imm

close

all I

nse settled dee

ent, neit

le grabbed his ke

other clie

his h

't take

ok exha

ve," he rep

lightly but sai

ed near the office entran

early t

his voice caugh

e walk

-

n her bed reviewing tomorrow's note

wn nu

ed before

el

shouted over loud music. "I

upright im

ha

Your number was listed u

ed her face

bad i

Cole slumped against the co

eno

-

ater, Helen was

hink twice. She grabbed her bag, told Margaret only that it was an urgent o

ir hit her

o

e

tle

a passing cab a

iding into the back seat before the d

and the car pul

ught the ride wou

did

everythi

window in broken reflections, bouncing off wet roads and glass buildings. Every turn the cab made fel

tayed locked

ti

st

he couldn't yet confirm-Cole, in a bar, dru

ne didn'

she knew in

ost intimidating man who barel

d between the confe

an to replay fra

nsion

ne when he s

n silence

hat call f

y, turning her face

deeper into the city. Drops streaked across the glass in uneven lines,

llowed

on would she

y dr

nt d

asn't even aware of hi

tened slightly

ion it was, she was t

shifted with the movement. She steadied herself i

to think

needed help

n't as bad a

yb

d refused t

e, alone in a ba

an who usually filled

man who rarely le

ything she unde

inty was what un

the downtown district. Neon signs began to appear through the rain-

ard slightly with

os

st t

arder, not from distance

he say when

n recognize

be emba

se...

tened again arou