The April air was still cold enough that our breath showed in faint white puffs, but the sidewalk was perfectly dry.

Sadie stopped three steps outside the door, holding the garment bag up high so the bottom wouldn’t drag on the dirty concrete.

Darla stopped right beside her next to a tall red brick column holding up the shop’s awning.

“Hold it right there, Sadie,” Darla said, stopping so suddenly that her low leather heels clicked sharply on the concrete.

She set her heavy black handbag on a stone planter bench and undid the wide brass clasp.

She reached inside, took out her silver smartphone and held it up in both hands.