Bad Timing

Theo took Elise to the bank roof because he said every terrible institution had at least one useful view.

He had been right. The harbor looked almost gentle from above. HartLine's tower caught the late sun. The courthouse clock glowed. North Point Ferry was a dark line beyond the marsh.

"I signed the lease on a small office," Theo said.

Elise leaned against the rail. "For what?"

"Independent claims and trust review. Victim-side. No bank board, no foundation donors, no one with a marble lobby."

"You did that without asking me?"

"I signed my name only."

She looked at him.

He held up both hands. "I learned one thing."

"One."

"Maybe two."

The wind lifted the edge of her coat. Her shoulder still ached. Her credit was still damaged. Her mother was still complicated. But her name worked again, and every day fewer people looked through her.

Theo took an envelope from his pocket. "This is not a contract."

"Bold opening."

"It is a copy of the office floor plan. There are two desks. One can be yours if you want work that does not require returning to Meridian or inheriting Vivian's chair."

Elise opened it. The office was above a bakery, narrow and plain. No harbor view. No roses.

"It has a bad layout," she said.

"Terrible. The bathroom door hits the file cabinet."

"Good."

He waited. He was better at waiting now.

Elise folded the paper. "I will think about it."

"That is not no."

"Do not get greedy."

He smiled, then grew serious. "And the other thing. What I said at North Point."

"That I am an idiot?"

"The falling part."

She looked at the harbor because it was easier than looking at him.

"Bad timing," she said.

"Still?"

"Still."

He nodded.

She took his hand anyway.

Timing could be bad without being false.