Sophie slipped her hand into her pocket.

Her phone lit her face in a faint blue square for two seconds before she tapped a red circle on the screen.

She slid the phone back into her coat pocket with the microphone facing out.

The heavy brass padlock on the outside latch knocked against the wood.

“I brought the master key ring from the house,” Dean said.

“You don’t have to hide from me, Clara.”

I twisted the silver band on my right ring finger three times, then eased the wooden door open four inches.