Page 11 of A Walking Shadow

“Tell me what happened.”

“I parked in the back lot, and, as I was walking around to the front of the building, I ran into two men in the alley. They startled me.”

“And one of the men was Simmons.”

“For sure.”

Sasha frowned and swiped to reopen the text from Daniel. “Was the other one Boone?”

Ellie leaned in for a closer look. Then she shook her head. “No, this guy had a sturdier build.”

“Another lawyer maybe?”

“I doubt it. He was wearing sweatpants and a hooded sweatshirt, like maybe he’d been out for a run.”

Sasha cocked her head. “Did they say something to you?”

“No, they heard me coming and jumped apart. You know the way people do when you catch them talking about you?”

“Huh, that’s odd. And this was when you got here?” She checked her watch.

“Yeah, he was literally skulking around in the alley. That’s strange, right?”

Sasha flashed back to the sensation that someone was behind her this morning and then to the sudden burst of light that filled the hallway the night before.

Yes,she thought,that’s extremely strange.

But she said, “It’s probably just a coincidence.”

Ellie gave her a long look. “I thought you don’t believe in coincidences.”

6

Leo loaded the dishwasher while Sasha washed the pots and pans he’d used to make dinner. Upstairs, Finn and Fiona were putting away their clean clothes. Fiona had decided they were old enough to do their own laundry. Leo was more than happy to hand over the task. Based on the squeals of laughter floating down the stairs in sporadic bursts, they were more than happy with the arrangement, too.

“What do you know about CEO?” Sasha asked as she scrubbed a skillet.

“The CEO of what company?” he stalled.

“Not a CEO. The organization. Citizens to End Oppression. You’ve heard of them, I’m sure.”

He eyed his wife’s back and considered his options. She always said she could never tell what he was thinking. But he didn’t want to risk lying to her, even though most of what he knew about CEO was classified.

“Yeah, I’ve heard of them.”

“Are they violent?”

“Anyone can be violent.”

“Does the organization have a reputation for violence?” she pressed.

“They’re not on the radar as a domestic terrorist group, if that’s what you’re asking me.”

She switched off the water and turned to face him, letting out a huff to let him know she was reaching her the limit of her patience. “What I’m asking is if they’re violent.”

“Why don’t you tell me why you’re asking?”

“Remember how I told you I’m representing Daniel? CEO, or a regional leader, more accurately, hired him to run a two-day hand-to-hand combat camp.”

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