She couldn’t see the look on his face, but she knew he was looking at Karen.

She averted her eyes, breathing slowly, deliberately. She looked up, her eyes aching as she stared into the bright office lights, silently willing the tears to stay back, stay away.

She was so close, almost ready.

She glanced over at Angela, strangely comforted by the curt nod she received. Steeling herself, she typed the words that would set everything in motion. She heard his computer *ping* as he received the IM only a few feet away.