Something felt off—too quiet on the executive floor. That kind of silence usually meant one thing: word had gotten out. And judging by the heavy air, quite a few people already knew.

As soon as Nicole saw me, she pushed open the office door and said, "Ms. Wilson, all the department heads arrived early this morning. They've just been waiting on you for the meeting. Was there even a meeting scheduled today? I don't remember seeing anything on the calendar."

"There ...