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I had hearings all afternoon and barely a moment to breathe. It was well past six before I could leave for the day. There was nobody left in the office.

Lock and Roy had made me promise not to walk to my car alone. I did anyway. The parking garage was empty now. I had a rental car while Lock had my car repainted. I kept my head on a swivel as my heels clacked on the concrete. I saw the black Mercedes parked next to me and slowed my steps.

Eli came toward me. He looked upset. “Mina,” he said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I didn’t want to bother you while you were still at work. But we need to talk.”

“It’s been a very long day,” I said. “Couldn’t you have just called me?”

Eli’s face fell. Something was clearly wrong.

“Please just give me a few minutes. I need to know what’s going on.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do,” he said. “Can we just…” He gestured toward my car. I unlocked the doors and got behind the wheel. Eli slid into the passenger seat.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

“That’s what I need to know from you. Something’s up with Lock. He’s not acting like himself. He missed a meeting I set up for him with a major donor this morning. I can’t get a hold of him. I’m worried. Are you guys okay? I wouldn’t stick my nose in it. But Piper’s all upset. She’s threatening to leave me. Then, with Lock’s behavior, I needed to talk to you.”

“You think Piper’s threatening to leave you because of Lock? Eli, I really don’t want to be in the middle of your marriage either. But I can think of one or two things that might make Piper upset with you that have nothing to do with Lock.”

“So you didn’t tell her?” Eli said softly. “About me and Anne?”

“I didn’t tell Piper anything. But don’t ask me to keep track of your secrets. I’m having enough trouble keep—” I stopped myself then took a breath. “As far as Lock, yes. I told him what I saw. I won’t keep something like that from my husband.” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I knew what a hypocrite I was.

“She won’t tell me what Lock said to her. Piper can be difficult. But I can’t lose her. She’s jealous. Things aren’t great with us. Despite what you saw, it’s not all my fault. She sees you and Lock and wishes we could be like you.”

“Look,” I said. “At the fundraiser, Piper said something very unkind to me. Lock was angry when I told him. Maybe I shouldn’t have. He said he was going to talk to her. I asked him not to. Apparently, he did anyway. That’s probably what upset her.”

Eli’s eyes got huge. “You asked him not to? You thought he’d listen to you? Lock isn’t rational when it comes to you. He becomes ferocious in his need to protect you. There is no moderate response when it comes to Lock. I wish you would have come to me if you were upset with Piper.”

I stopped myself from apologizing. I hadn’t done anything wrong. “Eli, I don’t have the bandwidth for this right now. Lock will be home in a few days. If you have an issue with him, you can take it up with him then.”

“He’s not taking my calls,” Eli said. “But I’m still here doing what he asked me to.”

“Which is what?”

“Checking up on you. He said whatever you’re working on has you upset. He said he’s never seen you like this. He’s worried.”

I sighed. “Then you can cross me off your chore list. I’m fine.”

“Sure,” he said. “About as fine as Piper is. I’m sorry she upset you. She’s mad at me and she took it out on you. Mina, Lock really is worried about you. And it’s messing with his head. Maybe he downplayed it, but not showing up for that meeting is bad for business. When Lock can’t focus, he makes dumb mistakes. Ones that have nearly ruined him. Ones that I end up having to clean up.”

“What mistakes?”

He wouldn’t answer. “I think he’s right that you’re not okay. Whatever this case you’re working on, is it really worth what it’s doing to the two of you?”

“Eli, I’m going now. It’s been a long day. I appreciate you looking out for me.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Are you sure there isn’t something I can do?”

“No. Just go after your wife. If you love her and need her like you say you do, work on that. Lock and I will be fine.”

Would we? For now, I only knew my head pounded. I wanted to just go home. But I couldn’t even do that right now. Mercifully, Eli got out of my car and back into his own. I honestly didn’t know if I should be grateful or angry with him. I felt wrung out like a wet dishrag. I waved at Eli as I backed out and drove away.

“Of course, Mrs. Manning. Welcome to the Bayview. Your suite is ready. Do you need help with any bags?”

His gold nametag read Garvin. He wore a crisp navy-blue suit coat.