My phone let out a sharp electronic chime in my coat pocket.

I took the phone out and stared at the glowing screen, which showed the formal military reprimand notice.

I laid the phone face down on the front seat of my sedan and put the car in drive.

The dashboard clock read twelve forty-five.

By one o’clock I was standing in the living room on Pine Street.

Richard sat in his wingback chair beside the cold marble fireplace, checking his gold cufflinks as I came in.

Evelyn stood by the tall leaded windows with her silk scarf looped twice around her neck.