The parking lot was half-empty, patted with rain that had already stopped falling. Streetlights shed long reflections over the wet concrete, the distant hum of traffic just background noise under the tension.
Claire stood by her car, hood up, hair tucked behind her ears, eyes scanning every car that passed until one finally pulled in. David stepped out, tall, in jeans and a navy hoodie. No fake pleasantries. He just walked up, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp.
"You came," she said.
"You said it was urgent."
Claire opened the back door and reached in, pulling out a black folder—one of those matte leather ones with a clasp. She held it out to him, didn't say a word.
David looked at it. Then at her. Took it anyway.
"What is it?"
"Just open it."
He popped the clasp, and was first met with the USB given to Claire by Ray.
