I walked past Julian without meeting his eyes and knelt on the faded braided rug in the corner of the room.

The heavy steel safe sat inside the lower desk alcove, its black dial gleaming beneath the brass desk lamp.

Julian stepped up directly behind me, his dress shoes inches from my bent knees.

“Open it now, Elena,” Julian demanded, loud enough for everyone in the hallway to hear.

“Show them all what you tried to keep for yourself.”

I undid the top button of my linen collar and pulled the brass key out into the light.

The thin steel chain clicked against the brass key ring as I held it in my hand.