“That wasn’t a network break,” Claire said.

“The central office switch registered a resistance drop on the physical loop.”

She turned to page forty-two of the landline installation manual and pressed the creased page flat on the table.

“A normal receiver drop changes the line voltage,” Claire said.

“This particular drop matches a secondary tap getting grounded inside the wall cavity.”

Ruth touched the edge of the printout.

“Where did you dig up the central office installation order?”