It's nothing. It's swelling. Maya had crouched beside him and gathered the groceries before rain could soak them. Walter tried to stand. She put a hand on his shoulder.
Don't. Maya, please. She had taken off her scarf and loosely supported his wrist until help arrived. Elena Torres, 39, the responding paramedic, examined him beneath the restaurant awning. Probably a bad sprain, Elena said.
Maybe a small fracture. We'll get imaging. Walter grimaced. I can't afford an ambulance. Elena looked at him.
We'll talk through options. First, we make sure you're okay. Maya stayed until Walter agreed to go. She carried his grocery bag into the ambulance and gave him her number again, even though he already had it. At the time, her own phone had been filling with messages about the university investigation.
She had ignored them for 15 minutes. Walter needed somebody. That had seemed more important. Now, sitting across from Ruth's kitchen, Maya wondered whether that instinct had cost everyone around her. The thought arrived quietly.
Maybe if I had transferred. Maybe if I had signed Hayes' agreement. Maybe if I had stopped after the courtyard footage. Maybe Marcus would still have his job. Maybe Evelyn would still have her access.
Maybe Daniel would still be president in more than title. The shelter light flickered overhead. Maya pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes. For the first time since the courtyard, she let herself cry. Not dramatically.
No sobbing. Just tears. She was too tired to stop. A bus passed without slowing. Water sprayed along the curb.
A voice beside her said, You missed too. Maya lowered her hands. Daniel stood at the edge of the shelter. No presidential coat. No leather folder.
Just a dark sweater beneath a rain jacket. His hair damp at the temples. She looked away. You're following me now? I know your habits.
That sounds nicer. He sat beside her. For a while, neither spoke. Traffic moved along Route 417. Finally, Daniel said, Laura told me you talked to Ryan.
Maya turned. You're on leave. How does Laura still know everything? She's very good at her job. Maya almost smiled.
Almost. Then the wait returned. I think I ruined Marcus's life. No. He lost his job.
Temporarily, I hope, Evelyn lost the archive. Yes. You lost your office. Daniel looked toward the rain. That office was never mine.
Maya frowned. You know what I mean. I do. She picked up the brass key from her backpack. Was this yours?
Daniel looked at it for a long moment. Evelyn showed you. She showed me the photograph. He nodded. You were 21.
I was thinner. You looked angry. I was terrified. Maya stared at him. You?
All the time. She turned the key over in her palm. Why did you keep it? Daniel leaned forward, elbows on his knees. Because Belle gave it to me after the trustees protected the aid program, and because it opened the president's house.