Chapter 3. Abigail spun as Timothy entered the room, her eyes blazing with fury and ready for a fight.

She was half lifting and half dragging one of the old sawhorses that formed the base of her desk, and she was not having an easy time of it,

in part because she seemed to want to do it as quickly as possible,

in an effort to restore her empire to its former glory. Her look was so fierce. Timothy backed up

a step in spite of himself, and then grinned sheepishly.

"'I met your dad,' he said.

"'He seems nice.

He's home?

Abigail asked.

Timothy thought that this seemed fairly obvious, but did not wish to provoke Abigail's wrath by saying so.

Yes, he said wisely instead.

Abigail nodded and seemed reassured that her brother would not now return and demolish her office again.

Good, she said. What about the evidence?

Back up, Timothy said. If those goons give anybody any more trouble, we can email a link to Officer Jackson in about thirty seconds.'

"'Abigail nodded. Good,' she said, and began dragging the sawhorse again.

After a moment she stopped and looked at the boy in the doorway and surprised.

"'Were you going to help me, or were you just planning on standing there?

Right, sorry, Timothy said, although he had really just been waiting to be told what to do.

He stepped forward and took one end of the sawhorse.

Careful, Abigail said as she shifted back to the other end.

It isn't heavy.

It's just awkward.

...