The movement was quiet.

It told him the conversation would continue with the records intact, whether or not he liked the conditions.

PART 6 — Seattle, Sophie, Graham

The Seattle letter lay on Adrian’s desk with a deadline of five o’clock Friday.

The partnership offer was real.

The terms were strong enough to deserve serious consideration.

Adrian had not accepted it, and he had not expected me to organize my life around a decision already made.

On Tuesday morning, he placed the letter beside the family folder.