Lauren stood up so fast her shoe snagged on the edge of the floorboards.

She reached up with her right hand and twisted her silver hoop earring in quick, sharp turns.

“Claire,” Lauren said, her voice jumping up before she flattened it back down.

“You were supposed to be at the logistics conference in Columbus until Thursday afternoon.”

“The schedule ended early,” I said, tapping my ring finger on my watch as I looked at the dark gouges in the wood.

“Why is this safe in my son’s bedroom?”