Washington D.C., the Hart Senate Office Building.
Outside the window, a cold, ceaseless rain was falling. The gray sky pressed down on the dome of Capitol Hill.
In Daniel Sanders's office, the old man sat behind a desk piled high with documents and books, holding a freshly printed brief in his hand.
His senior political advisor, Marcus Reynolds, stood before the desk, giving Sanders an update.
"What's the word from Ethan?" Sanders asked without looking up, his eyes still fixed on the document in his hand.
"Wallace has ceased all activity," Marcus reported. "He tore up the legal letter Karen had prepared and canceled the press release Sarah had arranged. No public complaints, no sign of any attempt to blow things up in the media."
"He told his team to keep working in the office as if nothing happened."
Sanders turned a page, the corners of his mouth lifting into a slight smile.
