I set my phone on the desk and played the voice memo.

Julian’s voice filled the small room, smooth as ever, explaining to Sophie that I was born to be a mother, that everything would stay in the family, that she should trust him.

Barbara listened all the way through without moving.

Then she laughed once, short and flat.

“Your husband is sloppy.

He left his own voice on a stranger’s phone.”

“Can you help her first?