I could see him reaching for his footing and not finding it, and I felt no triumph in it yet, only a cold, clear attention, the way you watch a structure you have undermined begin, finally, to lean.

Chapter 10 — Nine Silent Boxes

I opened my tablet on the small ledge by the gate, and the board came up — nine directors, nine silent boxes on a secure video call, faces I had known for years, watching now without a word.

Flynn saw them and his voice dropped, urgent and low, meant only for me.

“Turn that off,” he said.

“Mabel.