Otis came out of the supply room and took one look at the assembled people. His eyes moved from the cart to Shenine, then to Ellen, who was approaching from the elevators with a fresh roll of trash bags. The maintenance supervisor felt a cold certainty settle in his stomach. A scene was being built in front of him, and he knew the founder well enough to understand she had seen the same thing.
Derek opened the cart. He found the case almost immediately. Several employees gasped. Shenine pressed a hand to her chest, performing surprise with such confidence that Maya almost doubted what she had seen in the corridor earlier.
"I knew it," Shenine said. "She was standing beside this cart all morning."
"Ellen wouldn't steal a prototype," Maya replied.
"How would you know? She's been here for a few days."
The old woman looked from the silver case to the people around it. Then she spoke. "Maya never touched my cart."
Jamal crossed his arms. "Someone put it there."
"Yes," Ellen said. "Someone did."
Shenine's eyes narrowed. "Are you confessing?"
"I'm telling you not to accuse that girl." Ellen looked at Jamal. "And I'm telling you to examine the latch before you decide who touched the case."
Jamal barely glanced at it. "You admit the case was in your cart. That is enough for you to leave the building."
"My building?" Ellen asked softly.
"This is a place of business, not a place for arguments." Jamal pointed toward Otis. "Have security escort her out. Effective immediately."
For a moment Ellen said nothing. The hallway seemed to hold its breath around her. She watched her grandson's face, searching for the boy who once asked her to stay until he finished repairing a toy truck, and found a stranger who had made up his mind without investigating the one object in front of him.
"Your building," she repeated. "Remember you said that."
Jamal frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you'll remember it." She handed Otis the handle of the cart. "Leave it where it is. And don't lose the case."
Maya moved toward her. "Ellen, wait. I'll tell them what I saw."
"Not yet, baby." Ellen's voice was quiet. "Just remember what you saw. And don't let anybody change the story for you."
The security guard waited by the employee exit. Ellen walked beside him without resisting, carrying her small lunch bag. Behind her, Shenine laughed softly and told Jamal that at least one problem had been taken out with the trash.
Maya heard it. So did Otis. Neither would forget.
The guard who walked Ellen to the door did not know who she was. He was a temporary agency employee called Raymond, and he had been told only that the cleaning contractor no longer wanted her on the premises. He kept his eyes on the exit while they crossed the loading area, embarrassed by the task. Ellen noticed the way he walked half a step ahead, as though leaving room between them might make the order less cruel.