Two months later.
Roman came back on a Monday.
He taught his morning seminar at the university the way he always taught — precise, unhurried, giving the room exactly what it needed and nothing extra. When class ended he answered two questions from students near the door and then went back to his office, cleared his desk, and left.
By two o'clock he was at the company.
The lift opened onto the sixth floor and Nina looked up from her desk and went completely still for a moment.
Then she stood.
"Sir," she said. "You're back."
"I'm back," Roman said.
Something crossed her face — relief, mostly. Maybe something warmer than that. She had the good sense to keep it professional. "Welcome back," she said. "We've kept everything running."
"I know you have."
He walked through to the main floor.
Ben appeared from the filing corridor carrying a stack of folders and nearly walked into him. He stopped. Adjusted the folders. Straightened.
"Mr. Ashford. Good to have you back, sir."
