JULIAN

Victoria arrived at eight AM again, this time carrying two coffee cups. "I brought coffee," she announced, setting one on my desk. "Black, no sugar."

"Thank you," I said, surprised.

Blake eyed his own cup suspiciously. "Did you poison this?" he asked.

Victoria laughed. "If I wanted to poison someone, Mr. Hartley, I'd be far more subtle," she replied.

"Noted," Blake said, taking a careful sip. "This is actually good coffee."

"I have my moments," Victoria said, settling into her usual chair.

"So what's the plan today?" she asked me.

"Employee interviews," I explained. "I want to understand how deep Ethan's damage goes."

"Smart," Victoria approved. "My father will...