The Safe House

The hearing recessed because procedure had limits and everyone had exceeded them.

Ruiz moved Lila to a safe room inside the building with two officers outside. Nora went with her, not because Lila asked, but because Nora was done letting witnesses vanish while she waited politely.

The room had no windows. Lila sat on a conference chair and shook so hard the paper cup of water rattled in her hand.

"You did it," Nora said.

"Not yet."

"Enough for today."

Lila laughed once. "That is what Miles used to say when I wanted the whole truth at once."

Nora sat beside her.

For a while they said nothing. Outside, voices rose and fell. Lawyers gathered pieces. Reporters guessed wrong. Somewhere in the building, Judith was deciding which face to wear when the doors opened again.

"I hated you," Nora said.

"I know."

"Because it was easier than hating a dead man I still loved."

Lila nodded. "I hated you too. You got the life he wanted."

The honesty did not feel cruel. It felt like setting down luggage in a room where both women had been carrying too much.

"He chose it," Lila said. "Even if the beginning was ugly."

"I know."

"Do you?"

Nora looked at her. "No. But I am closer."

Ruiz opened the door. "We have a problem."

In the hall, Cal was gone.

So was Judith.

Brooke met them by the elevators, face pale with contained fury.

"They left through service access during recess."

"Together?" Nora asked.

"No. Cal first. Judith after."

Nora knew before Brooke said the rest.

Cal had answered enough to become dangerous. Judith did not leave dangerous men alive if dead accounts were available.

Then Nora's phone rang.

Judith said, "Come alone if you want to know where your lawyer is."

Nora looked at Brooke and did not bother pretending she would obey. They had lost too much to women being summoned alone.