“I don’t need an excuse. This isn’t about me. It’s about Gennie and you. You’ve always dived headfirst into the world, Gabe. ’Cause you have the devil’s own luck, you wind up plucking pearls instead of drowning.”

“Interesting metaphor.”

“Shut up.” Peter pounded the desk. “You don’t have anything to prove. Not to me. Not to your sister. Not to your father.” He saw Gabriel frown but plowed ahead. “The Ledger is a lifeline, son. Take it and wrap it around you and yours. Make the Ledger your own. Don’t let it make you.” He ceased abruptly. Advice-giving made him cranky.

Aware and grateful, Gabriel winked at Peter. “Am I crazy, or is she exceptional?”

“She’ll be a phenom.”

The buzz of the newsroom faded, leaving them in quiet. Friendship ran deep between them, and it was friendship that gnawed at Peter now. “What’s the plan today?”

“The police will meet us at Erin’s apartment at ten. Bernard’s being released this morning, with a car on him. Assuming things go as expected, either he or someone with a grudge will be at her apartment. He won’t be able to resist.”

“I still don’t think this is a good idea. They don’t call ’em lunatics for nothing. What if he doesn’t flip out like you expect?”

Gabriel had worried over the same question all night. But this was their last hope. “He’ll show. I’ll have the article ready by closing. Plan on using the same column inches on the dummy.” He lifted an article from the stack on Peter’s desk and scanned the pages. “You should think about whether the Ledger could use a food and wine section.”

“We need to talk about something else, Gabe.” Erin had yet to show up, but Peter thought he’d rather do this without her anyway. He pushed away from the desk and came around to sit beside Gabriel. “It’s about Erin and her past. About your relationship with her.”

At his solemn tone, Gabriel shot him a wary look. “My relationship with Erin is my business.”

Peter shook his head. “Once you asked me to investigate, she became my business, too. Who she is impacts everyone at the Ledger. Everyone who sacrificed their jobs and paychecks to follow you from the Chronicle.”

A vise tightened around Gabriel’s heart, a war of loyalties. This team had placed their faith in him. In his dream. And he’d promised them triumph. One woman had shared her secrets with him. Her freedom. And he’d promised her sanctuary. “I can’t betray her. I won’t.”