Chapter 3

I reached out, not quite believing it.

There was a sharp crackle.

The current on the door jolted me and I dropped hard to the floor.

The study door opened.

Charles came out.

"Oh. I forgot to tell you."

He cut the power.

Opened the wire fence.

Stepped forward and helped me up.

"That thing's live. Careful."

"Let go of me!"

I jerked back from him.

Charles froze.

He turned to look at Harper.

Harper's voice was cold.

"Don't be difficult. Once Charlie and I are done running the simulation, we'll take it down."

"But this is my home!"

There was a hurt edge in my voice.

"Why do I need a security fence strung up just to move around my own house?"

Charles reached out a hand.

"Ken..."

"Get away from me!"

I shoved his hand off.

Charles cried out.

And fell to the floor.

"Charlie!"

Harper rushed over.

Charles let her prop him up.

He cupped the hand I'd shoved, and looked at me like I'd wounded him.

"Ken, don't get the wrong idea.

"If you don't want this, I'll go."

And he actually picked up the document bag.

Loaded the data files into it one by one.

"Harper, from now on let's just talk about this at the office.

"Ken's already misread us."

Harper called out to him.

She looked at me.

She sighed.

The wire fence came down.

Harper never again discussed any of that impenetrable work with Charles at home.

At the office too.

They kept a certain distance.

But then came this day.

A rainstorm trapped me at the office.

I stood in the doorway, checking my watch over and over.

At last, Harper came toward me with her car keys.

My eyes lit up.

"Harper!"

"Move aside."

She pushed past me.

I blanked.

Charles came out of the building with a folder in his arms.

Long strides.

"Harper?"

I stood there, stunned.

Harper opened the passenger door for Charles.

"I have to take Charlie home first. Wait here a minute."

I went stiff.

"Isn't there still room in the car?"

She got into the driver's seat.

Lowered the window.

"Weren't you the one who wouldn't let Charlie talk business at home?

"His place isn't on the way home.

"So wait."

"Harper!"

I stepped forward, wanting to say something.

She'd already rolled the window up.

Not caring that my hand was still on it.

The tires threw up a spray of water and soaked me head to foot.

I stood in the wind and rain.

The rain on my face was like tears.

All that was left was a bitter smile.

Step by step.

I fought the wind back to the office door.

My coworkers had all gone.

The building's lights were off.

I stood under the awning by the door.

Waited until midnight, and that familiar car never came.

My phone buzzed.

It was Charles.

"Ken, catch a ride home with a coworker.

"Harper and I found a new problem. She probably won't make it over to get you tonight.

"Don't wait."

The hand holding my phone stayed frozen a long time.

I didn't lower it even after he'd hung up on the other end.

The cold wind lifted the hem of my clothes.

Snapping in the gusts.

I turned.

And walked alone into the pitch-dark office building.

Curled up at my desk.

Wrapped a coat around myself.

And closed my eyes in the dark.