The glass doors slid open and Kate walked into the law firm. Her assistant, Eva, was already waiting for her, tablet in hand, following their daily routine with military precision.

"Kate, you've got the Callaghan review hearing at ten, board meeting at one, and lunch with Judge Henderson at three…" she listed as they walked side by side toward the office.

Kate dropped her purse onto a chair without looking back. She stopped in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Cancel all of it."

Eva blinked in confusion.

"All of it?"

"All of it," Kate repeated, her voice calm but resolute. "Starting now, we focus on one case only."

Eva slowly lowered the tablet.

"Is this about the man who came in yesterday? The one who insisted on a meeting?"

Kate nodded, her expression serious.

"Yes. And I need you sharp. Your only task today is to find everything you can on Julian Ainsworth."

Eva was already typing notes before she even finished speaking.

"I'm on it," she said, disappear