Lila Runs

Lila ran because Cal's office had cameras.

She saw Nora enter on a feed she had not admitted to watching, saw Judith call Cal three minutes later, and decided every safe place had expired. By the time Brooke reached the dental office to move her, Lila was gone and the back door lock had been taped so it would not click.

On the counter sat a paper cup of cold coffee and a note written on the back of a dental intake form.

I'm sorry. Miles hid one thing from Nora because it would make her hate him. I cannot be the one to say it.

Brooke photographed the note, then allowed herself one quiet curse.

Ruiz read it over her shoulder. "People always leave before the sentence that matters."

"Fear edits testimony."

"You insurance people talk like filing cabinets."

Brooke almost laughed. Then her phone rang.

Nora was whispering from Cal's building stairwell. "The retainer would make me withdraw disputed claim activity. He wants me to sign away the hearing."

"Get out."

"I am."

"No, now."

Cal's voice sounded faintly through Nora's line. "Mrs. Vale?"

Brooke grabbed her keys. "Nora."

Nora slid the retainer into her bag and moved down one flight without answering. The stairwell smelled like new paint and expensive carpet glue. Above her, Cal's office door opened.

"Nora, you forgot your copy."

She kept moving.

At the bottom landing, the exit door opened from the other side.

Judith Vale stepped in wearing cream wool and black gloves.

For one breath, neither woman moved.

Then Judith looked at Nora's bag.

"You keep taking things that do not belong to you."

Nora heard Cal above, Judith below, and Brooke small and urgent through the phone.

There was nowhere to go but through.

She lowered her shoulder and shoved past Judith into the lobby.

Judith fell hard enough for everyone to turn.

Then she smiled from the floor and said, clear as glass, "She attacked me."