“It is fine, Claire,” he said, his voice rising slightly. “I have it under control. Go get some sleep.”
“You look exhausted,” I said.
He adjusted his tie, though he had already unbuttoned his collar. His fingers lingered on the silk knot.
“I am going to work in the garage loft,” he said, picking up his computer and the charging cord. “The lighting is better down there, and I will not keep you awake with the typing.”
He did not wait for me to answer. He walked past me, his shoulder brushing mine in the narrow hallway.
I stood in the center of the office, looking at the dark wood desk. The key to the heavy metal filing cabinet was gone from the little brass hook behind the door.
I walked down the stairs to the laundry room off the kitchen, leaving the lights off. The washer sat silent, a load of sheets waiting inside.
I reached into the pocket of my housecoat and pulled out the small piece of paper I had taken from Daniel’s dresser while he was brushing his teeth.
