My thumb tapped against my index finger in three fast sets of three.

“Trevor, where are my work clothes?”

“Your personal belongings remain secured inside the residence,” he said.

“Don’t try to enter without authorization.”

“Sadie needs her math folder for school,” I said.

“Sadie is being properly looked after,” he said.

He reached out with his right hand and flicked off the front hall light, leaving the glass panel pitch dark.

I went down the front steps and crossed the snow-dusted lawn toward the living room bay window.