*** The Contract***

Emma woke to footsteps.

Heavy. Deliberate. Coming down the hallway toward her room.

She sat up in bed. Darkness everywhere except the sliver of light under her door. The clock read 2:47 AM.

The door opened. Daniel stood there. Still dressed. Tie loosened. Face hard.

"We need to talk."

Emma's heart hammered. "It's three in the morning."

"I don't care." He walked in. Closed the door behind him. Held papers in his hand.

The ...