“Dad,” Emily said, her voice trailing off softly as he reached for the brass handle.

Richard stopped and turned back to her.

“Don’t go anywhere,” she said quietly.

“I’m staying right here,” Richard said.

He stepped out into the hushed hallway and pulled the heavy door closed until the latch caught with a soft thud.

Michael was leaning against the cinderblock wall across the hall, his suit jacket unbuttoned and his navy tie pulled an inch loose at the collar.

He checked his watch exactly on the hour as the hands passed seven fifteen.