She stepped into the office and laid her bound timeline folder on prosecutor Mark Vance’s desk.

At four minutes past ten, the bailiff called Room 302 to order.

Claire put her bound timeline folder on the corner of the prosecutor’s table and took the witness stand.

The chair was hard oak, and the microphone smelled of old foam.

Mark Vance, the assistant state attorney, asked her to give her name and assignment.

“Claire Johnson.

Night dispatch, console four, at Springfield central.”

“Were you the one who took the call from 1427 Maplewood Drive on the night of October twelfth?”