She wasn’t thrilled when I explained that I needed to make a quick stop for my backpack, but she agreed on the condition that she go with me.I wave a quick hello to Yaji, the barista, as I head up the back stairs to my office. Dani squeezes past me, the hand under her leather jacket no doubt resting on her gun. She gestures at me to keep quiet as we ascend the stairs. This time yesterday, I’d have rolled my eyes at her excessive caution, but this time yesterday I didn’t know there was a contract out on my life.As she rounds the stairwell corner, she stops suddenly, causing me to run into her, and says sharply, “Who are you? Why are you here?”I lean to the right so I can look over Dani’s shoulder. Mrs. Antolini is standing next to the closed office door, clutching her purse like it’s about to get snatched. Dani’s shoulder stiffens as if she’s about to draw her gun. “Mrs. Antolini,” I say loudly in Dani’s ear as I step around her. “How nice to see you.”“Oh, I’m so glad you’re here,”
