“I do love you,” she said.
Then she was gone.
I stood in the hallway until the numbers above the elevator reached the lobby.
My phone buzzed again inside the apartment.
This time, I picked it up.
Three messages from Rachel.
Five from Sophie.
The latest included a document.
Morning host has added a question about the woman photographed leaving your building. Need approval tonight.
I opened the file.
Option one described Claire as a longtime family friend.
Option two did not mention her.
Option three redirected the question toward the tour.
I stared at the screen.
Then at the half-empty apartment.
The missing blanket.
The bare shelf.
The space on the drying rack where Claire’s mug had been.
I typed:
None of these. Her name is Claire, and we need to talk before anyone says anything.
My thumb hovered over the screen.
The interview began at eight.
Richard would object.
Sophie needed time.
Claire had just left.
I could explain it properly once I had slept.
After the interview.
When things were calmer.
I deleted the message.
Typed:
