They talked about timing, accounts, and how long I would sleep if I drank what he brought upstairs.

They talked about the bracelet as if it were a souvenir.

I took the headphones off and sat very still.

Then I called Margaret from the hallway and told her the night was coming.

“Do not stop him,” she said.

“Let him complete the act he has already chosen.

Your job is to remain safe and to keep the record clean.”

That was why I poured the tea into the sink.