Page 73 of Split Decision

"I'm going to fix this."

Silence. Not the silence of someone thinking. The silence of someone who has already thought and arrived somewhere he can't see yet.

"Okay," she says.

Simply that. Not, “I know you will.” Nor, “I believe you.” Just an okay, expressed in a tone of someone who has finished the conversation and wants to end it.

"Andi—"

"Goodnight, Luke."

The call ends.

I sit on the floor of the empty gym for a long time. Turning her voice over. The way she said “okay,”like it was the only word she trusted herself with. Like everything else she could have said was too much or too true or toofinal, and she chose the one that closed the door without slamming it.

By the time I get up, I've decided to call Brandon in the morning. Not to accuse anything. Just to look more carefully.

ANDI

Three days after the Athletic Commission file on Luke’s license closes, the external PR firm Marin recommended appears on the youth center's agenda as an action item.

Mrs. Alvarez texts me the meeting notes. The item is listed underStrategic Communications Review, which is a careful way of saying that someone has already decided this is happening and that the board is being asked to ratify it.

I call Brandon.

He picks up on the second ring. "Andi. I was going to call you today."

"The PR firm."

"Yes." No evasion. At least he doesn't try that. "Marin vetted them. I think it's the right move for the center during the audit. It gives the board cover on publiccommunications, and takes the pressure off Mrs. Alvarez to navigate media questions."

"Who approached whom?" I ask.

"What?"

"Did you go to Marin asking for a communications solution, or did she bring this to you?"

A beat. "She brought it. After the community development inquiry."

"Okay."

"Andi, I know you're protective of the center. This isn't removing you from anything?—"

"I know." I keep my voice even. "I'd like to see the firm's principals. Their previous clients. Anything in their background that connects them to D.C. political work in the last decade."

Silence.

"That's a specific request," Brandon says carefully.

"It is."

"You think there's something wrong with them."

"I think due diligence is reasonable." I pause. "Brandon. I know you trust Marin. I know she's been good for you to have around through this. I'm not asking you to stoptrusting her. I'm asking you to look at the paper trail on this one recommendation and tell me what you see."

He's quiet for a moment. The quiet of someone actively recalibrating.

"I'll look at it," he says.