“It’s too soon to say anything.”

He leaned back with a shrug, conceding the point for the moment. “Well, it’s also too soon to give an exclusive to anyone else. Whatever you do, make sure you reserve the right to publish your own story.”

“That’s good advice. Thank you, Mark.” I got to my feet. “I’d better head down now.”

He looked at his watch and nodded, and he got up and followed me down the stairs. At the fifth-floor landing, he pushed the call button for the elevator. “No, I’ll walk,” I said. I handed him his jacket and started for the next flight of stairs.

He stopped me with a hand on my arm and a look of genuine concern on his face. “I don’t get it, Shay. How can you be so fearless about everything else? The whole fucking state of New York is after you, and you’re undaunted. But you can’t step inside an elevator.”

I took a shaky breath. “I just need a little more time.”

“You have to get back on that horse, Shay.”

“Soon, Mark,” I said as I pulled free and started down the stairs. “I promise.”

AT THE SECOND-FLOOR landing I heard a buzz of voices coming from the main conference room. I crossed the hall and poked my head in. A half dozen young men and women were going through stacks of documents spread out over the table. “Sorry,” I said when they looked up. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

A skinny boy in a skinny tie shot to his feet. “Hey. You’re her, aren’t you? Shay Lambert.”

I nodded as the others murmured around the table.

“We’re working on your document production,” another one said.

“Mine?”

“CDMI’s.”

“Oh.” I scanned the piles of paper. These had to be the documents I’d worked on in The Lab. “I’m afraid I’m not allowed to talk to you. Chinese wall? Please excuse me.”

I headed down another flight to the main floor. Phoebe was chatting with Luisa at the reception desk, and she gave me a bright smile.

“I see we have some new hires,” I said.

She looked blank.

“In the library? Reviewing documents?”

“Oh. Right. No, they’re not new hires. They’re law students doing an internship.”

“Paid?”

“Well, no.” She pursed her lips. “But really, it’s an honor for them just to be allowed to work here.”

JOSHUA MATSON WAS already there when I arrived at the Midtown wine bar. He was waiting at a little round table in the corner; when I came through the door, he rose awkwardly, knocked his glass with his elbow, and dove to right it before it toppled over. He recovered, barely, and held out his hand as I threaded my way toward him. I ignored it and went in for the European kiss on each cheek. When I pulled back, his face was flushed red. With a shy smile, he pulled out a chair for me.

I scooted closer as Alice situated herself in an inconspicuous spot by the door. “Thanks so much for meeting me, Joshua.”