Vanessa chose Monday morning.
She always chose Monday morning for the things that mattered. The week was fresh, defenses were lower, and people were still adjusting to being back in the world after whatever the weekend had done to them. She'd learned this years ago and filed it away with the other small pieces of knowledge that had made her useful for so long.
She arrived at Daniel's office at eight forty five.
He was at his desk, jacket already on, the organized stillness of a man two hours into his day before most people had finished their first coffee.
He looked up when she walked in.
Something moved across his face not surprise, not pleasure. Just the careful neutrality of a man who had decided to reserve judgment.
"Vanessa."
"I won't take long," she said. She sat without being
