"I know this is hard. It's almost like walking a tightrope."
"But if this were easy, it wouldn't have fallen to us to do it."
"I'll leave this to you guys."
Leo adjusted the collar of his overcoat.
"I have to step out."
"Where to?" Ethan asked, his words muffled. "There's still a video conference about the public utilities department tonight."
"Postpone it."
Leo walked to the door.
"Frank sent me three texts. Margaret roasted a huge turkey, and if we don't show up, she's threatened to dump it on the steps of City Hall."
"Give Margaret my best," Ethan sighed. "Tell her I'll come by for the leftover bones once I'm done running these numbers."
Leo pushed open the door and walked out of the conference room.
The first-floor lobby of City Hall was empty.
A security guard sat in his booth, watching a football game on a small television.
Leo pushed open the heavy main doors and stepped into the cold Pittsburgh winter.
The snow had stopped, but the wind was still fierce.
