The office had grown quieter as the morning stretched toward noon.
Ava remained seated behind Matthew’s desk, her phone lying face-up beside her hand. Every few minutes her eyes drifted toward the door, then back to the screen, then to the safe across the room.
The small metal box sat beside the water dispenser as it had always belonged there.
But Ava knew better.
She had walked this office floor thousands of times. Knew the exact position of every cabinet, every chair, every scratch in the wood paneling.
The safe was new.
Her fingers tapped softly against the desk.
Daniel had said he was coming.
She checked the time again.
Fifteen minutes passed. Then another ten.
A soft knock finally came from the door.
Ava straightened slightly. “Come in.”
The door opened slowly.
Daniel ste
