The silver electric clippers lay on the right-hand nightstand, next to Daniel’s wire-rimmed reading glasses.

Their polished chrome body caught the faint gray streetlight filtering through the thin lace curtains.

I left them alone.

I unbuttoned my suit jacket, hung it in the wardrobe, and stood my briefcase flat against the baseboard by the dresser.

I slipped under the heavy wool quilt without disturbing the decorative pillows lined up at the head of the bed.

Outside, the cold wind off Lake Michigan rattled the loose sash in the bedroom window frame.