dy creating a shadow that exacerbated the gloomy lighting surrounding them, his presence seemed

lized herself, her hands trembled slightly and her pulse pounded in her ears. In-person, the intensity of his presence was overwhelming, even though she had anticipated that he would be hazardous. He was a

," as if they were talking about the weather rather than her impending peril. "Emily, you'v

race. But she was unable to. No, not yet. Not with her this year. In an attempt to find

but I won't give up until I

pid if you believe that I will simply let you snoop around my affairs an

rushed a lock of hair out of her face while his fingers lingered close to her temple. Despite flinching, she did not retreat. His voice was now almost whispery as he asked, "Do you think you'r

rn. She tried to catch her breath and said, "You don't

s face darkened. "No," he

ider your small investigation to be a game, but you see it as a worthy e

s told her that she was in over her head. Too strong, too cunning was Blackwood. She was caught in his web now. Even though she was terrified, she said, "Y

'll reveal me? Do you think the world will be interested in a man l

ic source. She had believed it to be a fanciful statement meant to intimidate her into resig

at issue. That power extends well beyond your small newspaper or your small, trivial research. Pushing forward will reveal someth

express to him how much his comments moved her. Attempting to seem confident, she added

st ruin you, Emily? I don't have to take any action. I only need to permit

a warning. There was danger. An assurance. There was no need for him to hurt her. She wo

was rising within her. "I will continue to investigate

termined. You may believe that you are in charge now, but you are not.

as thick enough to sever with a knife. Despite her heart pounding in her chest, Emily

ing across the corridor. Emily's thoughts were still racing as she watched him go, but s

ut to walk away. "Get out of there, now," she read as she with