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“You may call her.”

Relief loosens something in my chest.

“But your phone remains monitored; remember that. If my people hear anything on your end that sounds like a threat, a hint, a betrayal…”

“I won’t.”

He holds my gaze another second, as though deciding whether he believes me. Then he turns away, already reaching for the rain jacket draped over the back of his chair.

Arthur holds open the door for me, and I follow him back through the maze of hallways, my pulse only beginning to slow once Vasily is no longer behind me.

* * *

Before I call Isla, I deal with the firm. My leave has already been arranged without me, but taking a case in my own name is something Damon needs to hear from my mouth.

I give him the defendant’s name, the charges, and the outline of the engagement. He goes quiet at the mention of Deep Waters. Then the questions start. Conflicts, coverage, who handles my existing files. We work through them while I stare at the lake and try not to think about who else might be listening.

By the time we hang up, I have permission to take this one outside case during my leave. The follow-up email makes it official. It doesn’t make any of the rest of this normal.

There’s another work update waiting beneath it. The dead man found near Lake Placid has finally been identified as Dingo. The police have confirmed an accidental overdose. No connection to my client’s case; no meeting to rearrange.

I sit very still for a moment. He’d been alive when he sent those useless directions. Now Anderson is back, another attorney has taken over the matter, and all I can do is acknowledge the message.

The phone feels strangely heavy in my hand. It’s odd knowing that every word I say will be heard by someone other than Isla. Our conversations have always, I assume, been private, and now I feel suddenly vulnerable despite being alone in my rooms.

I sit on the edge of the bed, thumb hovering over her name before finally pressing Call. She answers before the first ring finishes.

“Matty?” The relief in her voice makes my chest tighten, and I miss her suddenly and fiercely.

“Hey.”

“Where have you been? You never disappear.”

“I know.”

“You look terrible.”

“This is a phone call.”

“I can hear your face.”

Despite everything, I laugh. “I took a case. I’m up in Lake Placid again.”

She’s quiet only for a beat, but it’s long enough to make my breath catch. My brain is working a mile a minute, wondering if whoever is listening in some hidden room in this house might think I said a code word or phrase. Might sic Vasily’s soldiers on me any moment now.

“That’s random.”

“It sort of fell into my lap. I think it’ll be a good challenge, and the firm agreed.”

Isla hums, then adds cautiously, “Matty...”

“Hm?”

“You’re not up there trying to find him, are you?”

“What? Find who?” The question throws me off completely.

“Your biological father.”