Page 18 of A Walking Shadow

“Exactly.”

They returned to their work. The next time Sasha looked up, she was surprised to see that it was past five o’clock. She blinked, yawned, and stretched her arms over her head.

“Let’s take a break. Stretch our legs, get some water.”

Ellie let out a sigh of relief and stood, but before they could make good on the plan, Naya popped her head into the room.

“Hey, Mac. Leo’s here.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He’s talking to Will.”

“Huh. Okay.” She couldn’t imagine what her husband and her law partner could have to discuss.

“One other thing,” Naya told her. “I told Will about your hearing, so we’re moving the partners’ meeting from the morning to the end of the day Friday.”

“Boo. Does this mean no French pastries?”

“It does, but Will’s no fool. He said he’ll order anaperitivofrom the Italian place where he threw that birthday party for his wife. They’ll send oversomething light but tasty.”

“That works, too. Thanks for thinking to move the meeting.”

“Sure. How’s it going in here?”

“We have a winning argument, but it’s going to come down to whether Macomber is willing to take the time to write a decision or whether she’ll dismiss both the complaint and the counterclaim to get us off her docket.”

“I think you’ll be okay,” Naya said. “I heard she took on an extra clerk.”

“Still got your finger on the pulse of the legal community, I see.”

“Always,” Naya told her, turning to leave.

Sasha stopped her. “Wait. Ellie and I are pretty much done here. I might sneak out with Connelly.”

“You should.”

“I meant what I said yesterday. I don’t want anyone here alone after hours. So please make sure you walk out with somebody. And spread the word to the others.”

Naya gave her a quizzical look. “What’s going on, Mac?”

“I’m not entirely sure. And, until I am, I’m serious—nobody stays alone here after dark.

Ellie nodded her understanding.

“Is this about CEO?” Naya pressed.

“It could be. There’s no evidence this group is violent, but similar groups have been. And they probably wanted hand-to-hand combat training for a reason. Just humor me until I know for sure.”

She held her friend’s gaze until Naya said, “I will. I promise.”

8

Sasha packed up her bag. It was exceedingly rare for her to leave the office this early, but she and Ellie had accomplished a great deal in one day. She was halfway to Will’s office when she bumped into her husband in the hallway.

“I heard a rumor you were here.” She stretched up on her toes to give him a quick kiss.

He rubbed her bare arm, sending a delicious shiver along her spine. “I Just finished talking to Will.”

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