Page 78 of Omega’s Fold

“Where are you?”

“Wyatt’s house. He’s pregnant, Eli.”

The line on his end goes dead silent.

“Four months. It’s a girl. We saw her this afternoon. I have a picture of her on the fridge.”

“Julian, oh my God.”

“I know.”

“How are you feeling?

“I have no idea. It’s been a lot.”

We talk a few more moments then I hang up on him and I dial Richard Pace’s direct line.

He picks up. He is in the office still. I knew he would be. Pace never leaves the office before seven p.m.

“Pace.”

“Richard. It’s Julian.”

A pause.

“Where are you? The waterfront meeting was at four.”

“Parish Ridge.”

The pause is longer this time. “What are you doing there?”

“The hydrogeology appendix has been redacted in the public summary in a way I am not prepared to stand behind. I’ve taken it to them. I’m sorry. I don’t believe I had any real choice here. Let me know if you still want me to come to work tomorrow.”

“Julian. Stop. Take a breath. Whatever you think you’ve found —”

“I haven’t found anything, Richard. It’s all in the file. I’m just saying it out loud.”

“Don’t be stupid, Julian. Not over this. If you’re concerned, come in and talk to me.”

“Goodbye, Richard.”

I hang up.

I stand at the kitchen table with my hand still on the receiver. I sit down at the laptop. I send the email with attachments to the lawyer, then a second to the county zoning board, and the third, which goes to Pace, with the affidavit and the appendix and the summary attached, and the words please consider this notice given in the body.

Then I close the laptop.

The phone rings.

I look at it. The caller ID says it is the firm’s main switchboard. I let it ring out. Five seconds later it rings again. I let it ring out. Five seconds later my mobile, which is on the table next to the laptop and which has at some point in the evening started picking up the satellite Wi-Fi, lights up with a Teams notification.

Pace, R. — You better fucking not.

I look at it. I do not reply.

I push the chair back and I stand. My knees are not entirely steady, which I notice with mild interest. I have just lost the partnership.

When I look up, I see Donna standing in the doorway. “Wyatt told me what you’re doing. Is it done?”