The room settled. Calm without effort. The silence between them was understanding, not disagreement. No one hurried to break it.
Julian was the one who eventually spoke. He did not raise his voice. Just turned in his chair.
"We were not there that night."
He did not say which night. He did not have to.
Franz sat upright. Hands resting on the table. Steady. Relaxed.
Gil glanced down for a moment before looking up again. Forearms on the table.
"We thought it was just internal noise. Family issues. Board disagreements. Something she would handle by morning."
Nate nodded beside him. Jaw tightening. "She usually did."
They had seen her manage worse before. They thought this would be the same.
They had watched her move through large rooms without effort. Face challenges with few words. Over time, they assumed she did not need support because she seemed certain alone.
"She did not call."
Franz nodded. She would not have.
