Samantha stared.
“Elena?”
Reuben turned.
Elena Marquez closed the door.
“I was hoping I wouldn’t need to come in here.”
Grizzly looked at her.
“You lost too?”
Elena ignored him.
She faced Samantha.
“You texted me one word.”
Samantha remembered.
When Reuben entered, before turning around, she had slipped one hand beneath the counter and sent the emergency code Elena had insisted they establish.
HERE.
Elena looked toward Reuben.
“Councilman.”
Reuben’s face became careful.
“Ms. Marquez.”
“Interesting place to meet.”
He regained a fragment of confidence.
“This is a private matter.”
“No.”
Elena opened her folder.
“It stopped being private when my client documented threats and requested legal protection.”
Samantha’s heart pounded.
Reuben laughed.
“You have nothing.”
Elena removed a document.
“Temporary protective order request was filed this morning.”
Reuben’s smile faded.
“What?”
Samantha looked at Elena.
“You filed?”
“Based on the additional voicemail and witness declaration you sent yesterday.”