Chapter 47. After The Doors Closed

The room on Friday contained eight people, a jug of water, and chairs designed by someone who had never needed comfort during an unpleasant conversation.

The chair began by summarizing the complaint Mario and Mercer had submitted, then noted Vale’s support for the review. Diana listened with her hands resting flat on the table.

Diana kept her answer short.

She had not known about the payment. She had left when she learned of it. The work contract had been independently awarded, and the attacks were being investigated by people with evidence the council did not possess.

Mercer asked whether her relationship with Gabriel might affect her account.

Diana looked at him across the table.

“It hasn't changed what happened.”

Beside her, Gabriel said, “The payment was my decision. Ask me about it.”

After that, most of the questions were his.

Diana listened to him answer without asking her to make his reasons sound better. When they re