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“How?”

“She asked questions.”

“When?”

“Months ago.”

Elena's expression goes still.

“What questions?”

“Old transfer structures. Processing fees. Accounts that didn’t reconcile.”

For the first time, Elena says nothing.

Kalliopi came this close. Closer than either of us understood.

“Did you report her?” Elena asks.

Karras looks down, and that is answer enough. The cold inside me becomes absolute.

“You reported her.”

“I followed protocol.”

“To whom?”

“I don’t know.”

“You sent her name into that network.”

“I sent a warning that someone was looking.”

Elena's face loses color. Karras realizes too late what that means to her.

“I didn’t order what happened.”

“No,” Elena says quietly. “You just opened the door.”

His eyes flick to me. Wrong choice. The pistol is already in my hand.

Elena sees it.

“Adrianos.”

Karras rises too quickly, knocking the cane aside. “Wait.”

I don't.

The shot cracks through the room. Karras drops beside the chair. No final speech. No second chance. No theatrical last words. He is dead before his body finishes settling against the floor.

The room goes silent.

My men outside do not enter. They know better.

Elena doesn't move.

For several seconds, she stares at Karras. When she finally turns toward me, there is no horror in her expression. That would have been easier.