To me, that money meant several months of breathing room.

At two o’clock, a text appeared from Dennis.

WHERE ARE YOU? YOU LEFT BEFORE WE COULD TALK LIKE ADULTS.

Five minutes later came another.

GARY SAYS THE BOARD NEEDS YOU TO FIX WHAT YOU DID.

Then a photograph of my ring resting beside the broken crystal.

YOU FORGOT SOMETHING.

I placed the phone face down and showed Elaine the messages when she called.