After breakfast, we returned to work and split off, Eric headed toward our office while I made my usual morning rounds. I collected documents, checked in with a few departments, and fielded routine questions before finally heading for the Director’s office. I’d made a habit of stopping by every morning, just in case something came down from the higher-ups.

Most days, Jack’s office was quiet.

Today, it wasn’t.

I slowed as I reached his door and leaned in just enough to peek through the glass. Jack was laughing, actually laughing, with Eric. Eric, meanwhile, looked like he wasn’t sure whether to smile or bolt. I lingered a moment, unnoticed, before knocking lightly. 

Jack’s expression snapped back to its usual seriousness.

“Good morning, sir,” I said. “Just wanted to double-check that you’re tracking my vacation request for tomorrow. If there’s anything you need from me before then, I can take care of it today.”

He blinked, clearly surprised, then glanced down at his calendar. After a beat, he snapped his fingers.

“Ah, right. Yes. Slipped my mind,” he said. “As long as nothing urgent comes up, you’re clear to take the day. I have nothing specific for you. Just keep things moving the way they are.”

That was it.

He turned right back to Eric, the shift so immediate it was almost impressive. The praise resumed, thick and shameless. I didn’t blame Eric; there was nothing about him that invited resentment, but the familiar sting still settled in my chest. I’d been fading into the background long before he arrived, but his presence only made it more obvious.

I excused myself quietly and retreated to my office, closing the door and sinking into my chair.

The office had fallen into a rare, focused hush. Everyone had locked in since Eric introduced his new angle. My glass walls, blinds still open, gave me a clear view of the unit.

That’s when I noticed Kari.

She hovered outside my office, tiptoeing up as if she hadn’t already made eye contact with me twice. She still knocked before stepping in.

“Come in,” I said, waving her closer.

Her movements were stiff, her eyes darting around the room instead of meeting mine. I stood and approached her, lowering myself slightly to get a better look at her face.

“Hey,” I whispered. “Are you okay?”

She inhaled deeply, then nodded. “I think… I mean, yeah. Anyways, I’ve just been thinking since yesterday and… I wanted to ask if I could go talk to Liam today.”

I blinked. “Liam? Lobelia’s ringleader?”

She nodded again.

“Why?” I asked, genuinely confused.

“Well… after what Eric said, I keep wondering if there’s something we missed. Something he might’ve let slip back then.”

Her words were confident. Her body language was not.

“I don’t have a problem with that,” I said carefully, “but why not have Avery handle it? I thought interrogations weren’t really your thing.”

They never were. She avoided them when she could, and when she couldn’t, she always brought backup. That’s why this felt… off.

“I know,” she blurted. “But I’ve been here long enough now, and honestly… I don’t feel like I’ve been pulling my weight. I want to try doing this one on my own.”

I hesitated. Her determination was admirable, but nerves like that didn’t disappear just because someone wanted them to.

“How about a compromise?” I said. “Michael wanted to hand over some documents in person anyway. Avery can go with you. If at any point you need help or feel overwhelmed, he’ll be close.”

She didn’t look thrilled, but after a moment, she nodded. “Okay.”

She left, and a minute later I watched her and Avery head out together.

My attention drifted back to the floor. Eric was now at his desk, back to me, buried in documents. He’d been like that all week: methodical, focused, asking questions only when he absolutely needed to. I considered checking in, but the intensity of his concentration stopped me. Whatever he was working through, I didn’t want to interrupt it.

A few hours later, Avery and Kari returned.

Kari went straight to her desk. Avery came into my office, a folder tucked under his arm.

“Hey, Sel,” he said easily. “Michael wanted me to pass these along. Want me to upload them for you?”

“Yes, please,” I said, standing and meeting him halfway. “Let everyone know once they’re up and bring me the hard copies afterwards.”

He nodded, giving the folder a light tap before turning to leave. Then he paused at the door.

“Hey… Sel,” he mumbled, stepping back in.

“Yeah?”

“I wasn’t gonna say anything, but…” He glanced out through the glass toward Kari’s desk.

“Something’s off with her. I know interrogations make her antsy, but this feels different.”

I nodded slowly. “I noticed too. She said she wanted to prove herself, felt like she hadn’t been contributing enough. I’m going to give her today to decompress. If she’s still like this tomorrow, I’ll talk to her.”

He nodded, relief softening his expression. “Okay.”

He gave my shoulder a light tap before heading back out.

I watched him go, my gaze drifting back to Kari’s desk as unease settled quietly in my chest.

----------------------------------------------------

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Art: Petra Eggert