Chapter 4

Mabry moved fast.

He crossed the last two steps and took the letter out of Ava's hands. The paper flexed. One corner tore. He held it against his chest like a winning hand in a game no one else had agreed to play.

"He's a process server," Mabry said, louder now, to the room. "This is a stunt. Somebody's trying to embarrass the company before the term sheet closes. Get him out."

Nobody moved.

Darnell shifted his weight. The waiter with the champagne tray took a step back. Ms. Chen closed her folder halfway, not all the way, as if she wanted to keep her options.

Ava did not step away from Mabry. She stood very still, her green eyes fixed on the torn edge of the letter. "You just tore a legal notice," she said.

"I'll tear the whole thing."

"That won't make the rent disappear."

Mabry's face changed then. The polished smile stayed on top, but something underneath it went hard. "Ava, you're chief of staff. Remember that."

"I do."

"Then act like it."

Gus spoke from the corridor. "You signed every page, Mr. Mabry. You can tear this one. The trust has copies."

Mabry pointed at him. "You don't get to come to my launch and threaten me."

"I didn't threaten you. I brought an envelope."

"Get him out," Mabry said to Darnell. "Now."

Darnell looked at Gus, then at Hector Ruiz, who still stood by the elevator panel. Hector had not moved. His hand was closed around the steel ring on his belt, the master key hidden in his palm.

Darnell reached for Gus's arm. Not rough. Just enough.

The elevator doors behind them began to close. The freight elevator had arrived. Its metal doors slid together with a low mechanical hum.

Hector moved.

He crossed the polished floor in four long strides, pulled the master key from his ring, and inserted it into the elevator panel. The doors shuddered. Then they stopped. Not open. Not closed. Frozen an inch apart.

Mabry turned. "Hector, what are you doing?"

Hector did not answer. He looked at Gus. Then he looked at the room.

The doors stayed frozen.