#Chapter 72 Progress and Poison

Ember I do my best to keep my composure as I head toward Kaine’s office. My breathing is even and my expression is blank. I nod to the other guards as I pass acting as if nothing has changed. To them it hasn’t. Only Jake knows how hard I’ve been working to bring down Lady Chantarelle. Even he doesn’t know my reasons, doesn’t know that I’m counting the weeks in my head, estimating how much time I have left before I have to leave. Kaine is already inside when I arrive. He stands near the window, arms folded, a folder tucked underneath on arm. He doesn’t turn when I enter, just says, “Close the door.” I do. Then I take my usual seat without a word. He takes one last glance at the window before joining me. We’ve gotten good at this game. We speak plainly, formally, never letting our emotions show. We don’t talk about his engagement to Bianca, or my recent coldness. Everything said is about the case. “We’ve compared the forged records from the palace and the estate to older rec