After what you did last night.” “Yes,” he said, as though it were the most obvious and reasonable request in the world.

“Because this is extremely important for our future.

What is Martin going to think if he walks into a half-empty home?” I looked at his face on the screen for a moment, this man who had abandoned his feverish daughter and had not since asked whether she lived, now indignant that his dinner party was in jeopardy.

“It sounds like a very stressful situation for you, Liam,” I said softly, and I will admit there was the faintest edge under the softness.

“Maybe you should call your mother to fix it for you.” And I hung up, without waiting to hear his answer.