“I think that is best, Richard,” Arthur replied, bowing his head slightly.

“I will call your office tomorrow morning,” Mr. Vance said.

“Though I doubt there is much left to discuss regarding our merger.”

Mrs. Vance gathered her coat from the back of her chair, her jewelry clinking in the quiet room.

She gave Eleanor a brief, pitying look, then walked toward the foyer without saying a word.

Their heavy winter coats rustled as they put them on in the hall.

The front door opened and closed again, letting in another draft of cold air that made the candles on the table flicker.

“I need to go outside,” Annika said, gesturing with her phone toward the front of the house.

“The lead officer wants me to verify the documents we sent over.”

“I will come with you,” I said.

“Monica, you should stay inside,” Arthur said, reaching out a hand, though he did not touch me. “It is freezing.”

“I want to see it, Arthur,” I said.

I walked to the closet in the hallway and pulled my heavy wool coat off the hanger.