Thirteen Years Later, Two Blue Competition Badges Answered Every Question

She put the folder back in her tote and kept her hand flat on it.

The clock above the door said ten past three.

Eli talked about the judges the whole way home, and Claire drove with both hands on the wheel and the radio off.

That night he had the tablet propped against the milk jug before she had her coat off.

“Two hundred and eleven names,” Eli said.

“I counted them.”

Claire set her tote on the counter and pulled out a chair.

“Show me.”