“Of course.” The folders were color-coded and divided by age. She’d learned about that early in her tenure at the firm, so she didn’t understand the need for the replay now.

He turned to the door across from the supply closet. “This is the partners’ file room.”

She’d always assumed the unmarked locked door had something to do with computers. No one ever went in there. “Why is this room separate from the rest?”

Covington typed a code into the keypad next to the door. “The office manager assigned you a security code. It’s in that manual she handed you.”

She’d gotten stacks of binders since becoming a partner. She’d signed papers and heard more about the retirement plan than she’d ever wanted to know.

“We keep specific files in this room. Problematic ones. Most cases, after they finish and the bill is paid, and a certain amount of time has passed, are closed then moved to our off-site storage. Other cases, ones we believe will circle back or could result in further litigation with the firm, stay here.”

“Further litigation?” She looked at what seemed to be a wall of safes, and a surge of what have I done? hit her.

Covington rested his hand on a door with his name on it. “Some cases are of a nature where we can’t risk losing track of the files, so we keep them close.”

As a partner, she had partnership liability, so she found this room terrifying. For the first time, it hit her that running the firm came with responsibility and not just new benefits and more income. “I guess I’ll have a locker or safe, or whatever you’d call these.”

“Specifically designed safes. And, yes, all partners do. Past and present. We kept these old-school and use keys.”

Past included Retta. Retta and a locked cabinet. Jessa couldn’t ignore the obvious. “Do I get a key?”

“Of course.” Covington drew one out of his pants pocket and handed it to her. He pointed to an open door. “This one is for you. The partners may suggest you put certain cases or documents in there from time to time, but you should use it as you see fit. If you need more room, we can give you a second space. I have three.”

Four supersecret vaults hidden in a wall. Jessa tried to understand why someone would need one, never mind three.

“I wouldn’t put money or jewels in there, but I have my will and other family and business documents in one of my spaces.” Covington smiled. “Consider it a safety-deposit box of sorts.”

Jessa looked at the space marked loretta swain. She used to be a partner in the firm, so it made sense she had old files here. But what else?