Arianne's hand rested on the file tied to Dominic. She hadn't moved from that spot since the last words settled. Her attention wasn't scanning the documents anymore. Just holding them in place.
Franz stood beside her. Not looking at the papers. Looking at her.
He had been watching her since she stepped back from the table and said her past and Alex's death weren't separate things. Something had changed in how she was holding herself. Small. The kind of thing you'd only see if you were already paying close attention. And he was.
Across from them, Nate and Julian stood angled inward. Gilbert stayed at the head, silent. Not presenting anymore. Just watching.
Nate exhaled. "That doesn't explain something."
Arianne's gaze lifted.
"After you disappeared," Nate said, "he was looking for you."
The room went quiet. Arianne didn't react. No change in her face. No visible tension. But Franz saw her hand press a little harder against the table.
"How," she said. One word.
