Franz woke up before the estate came to life.
The sky was pale but not yet bright. Caught between night and morning.
He stood by the window. His phone was already in his hand. He unlocked it and called Daryll.
"There's a freelance image," Franz said. "Taken outside the secured area."
Daryll understood immediately. His tone sharpened.
"It hasn't been published yet." A pause. "It won't be."
Franz looked at the dark shape of the garden outside the glass.
"Yes," he replied after a moment. "Loop counsel."
He ended the call and stayed where he was.
He'd made calls at this hour before. Too many to count. But this one felt different. Not heavier. Just more his to carry.
He looked at the phone in his hand.
Strange. To carry something for someone else.
He'd spent years only carrying for himself.
The studio's legal team called before the sky was fully light. He moved to the console table and sat down, resting one hand on the wood as he listened.
