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I take out my phone and call Evander. "I want everything Karras gave us checked immediately. Every account, terminal, company and intermediary. Nobody touches any of them. Nobody contacts anyone connected to them unless I approve it."

"Understood."

"And find out who accessed the structures that moved money tonight."

"We're already working on it."

I end the call and look at Elena. She hasn't looked at me since her little congratulations. I deserved that one.

Probably.

She opens another set of records and starts typing. Her face has settled into the expression I've learned means everyone around her has ceased to exist. Usually I enjoy watching it. Tonight, the distance between us feels different.

Cold.

I preferred her furious. Fury means she's still fighting with me. This silence feels like being shut outside a door I didn't know existed until she closed it.

"Elena."

"Hmm?"

Not even a glance.

I put my phone on the table. "Look at me."

"I'm working."

"I can see that."

"Congratulations. Another successful investigation."

That almost makes me smile. Almost.

I pull out the chair beside her and sit. She continues working, fingers moving over the keyboard as if I'm no more interesting than the furniture.

"I owe you an apology."

Her fingers stop, and she looks at me. With suspicion at first, and then surprise.

I can't remember the last time I apologized to anyone. Possibly because most people who have reason to demand one from me understand that survival is preferable to emotional closure.

Elena is apparently determined to ruin several decades of efficient habits.

"Could you repeat that?" she asks.

"No."

"I thought I heard an apology attempting to escape."

"You did."

"Should I record this? I'm concerned nobody will believe me."

"Don't make me reconsider."

Her mouth almost moves. Then she remembers she's angry.

"What exactly are you apologizing for?"