I remembered that afternoon.

Sloan had been sitting on the patio beneath my half-open window, and when I’d closed it to escape the smoke, she’d laughed loudly enough for me to hear.

Nina was with me when the call ended.

She didn’t ask to interview Pearl.

She simply wrote down the date and reminded me that Pearl could decide for herself whether to speak to an officer if needed.

“Why are you being so careful?” I asked.