For a long time, I could not decide what to do with the phone.

After it was no longer needed as evidence, it came back to me with paperwork and a clear protective bag.

The casing was scratched and the screen had a fine crack across one corner.

I placed it in the bottom drawer of a desk I had found at a secondhand shop.

I did not listen to the recordings.

I had heard enough.

Sometimes, while looking for a pen, I would see the bag and feel the old panic stirring.