The town car came at 8:45 the next morning, just like the note said it would. I was ready. The suit was black, the sort that doesn't show wrinkles or weakness. My hair was pulled back tight. I looked at myself in the hall mirror. The woman looking back had hollows under her eyes, but her jaw was set. She looked like someone who could walk into a room and not be the first one to look away.

Zane was in the kitchen, holding a coffee mug. He watched me walk to the door.

"You're going in?"

"Yes."

"You don't have to. You could... take more time."

"The time has...