“I appreciate this is a difficult time. But I have a branch to run and I can’t allow impatie—” Elias cut in, “Don’t say impatience.” Fitch stopped. “I’ve sat in that chair for two hours without a word. I’ve watched people who came in after me get seen before me. I haven’t said a word about it until now. Don’t call that impatience.”
Something flickered across Fitch’s face. Not remorse. Something closer to recalculation. Then it was gone. They moved into the corridor without deciding to — Elias holding his ground, Fitch pressing forward, Cindy trying to insert herself between them.