Chapter 3
Rachel looked back toward the townhouse.
“Because I am.”
“Where?”
“In the rain.”
Another pause.
“Rachel, what happened?”
Rachel finally allowed herself to say it.
“Daniel left me.”
Emily didn’t speak for three seconds.
Then she said, “I’m coming.”
“No.”
“I’m already putting shoes on.”
“I’m okay.”
“People who are okay do not stand outside in November rain saying they’re okay.”
That almost broke her.
Rachel closed her eyes.
“He moved Vanessa Pierce into the house.”
Emily knew the name.
“Oh, hell no.”
“Emily.”
“I’m sorry. I’m trying to be supportive, but I also want to drive through his front window.”
Despite everything, Rachel laughed.
It came out half sob.
Emily heard it.
Her voice softened.
“Where are you?”
Rachel gave her the intersection.
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Rachel lowered the phone.
A black sedan pulled to the curb before Emily arrived.
For one terrified second Rachel thought Daniel had sent someone.
Then the rear door opened.
An older man stepped out holding an umbrella.
Samuel Reed.
Evelyn’s longtime chief counsel.
Rachel had met him that afternoon.
“Ms. Morgan.”
Rachel looked at him.
“How did you find me?”
“The transition team tried your home. Your husband answered.”
Rachel closed her eyes briefly.
“What did he say?”
“Very little after I identified myself.”
Samuel noticed the suitcase.
Then her soaked clothes.
His expression changed.
“Are you safe?”
“Yes.”
“Do you need assistance?”
Rachel looked toward the townhouse in the distance.
“No.”
Samuel nodded.
No judgment.
No questions.
Exactly what she needed.
“The board has requested an emergency meeting tomorrow morning.”
“Why?”
“There’s a problem.”
May you like
Rachel looked at him.
Samuel handed her a tablet beneath the umbrella.
