It was cold, clear, and quiet.

I stood up and went down the wooden stairs, taking a short cab ride back to First Missouri Bank to meet Martha for the final affidavit signing.

Mr.

Reed met us at the double doors and led us back to his private office, where the monitor was still on behind the velvet drapes.

The screen was still frozen at two sixteen PM on November fourth, glowing under the ceiling lights.

Clara Sterling’s face was caught for good in the sharp glare of the camera lens, her right hand raised, her emerald ring glittering on the dark screen.