“I’ll be home soon.”

The call ended.

Claire carried the laptop down to the office.

She had been using the kitchen table while checking figures against a notebook, but the calls and longer work belonged downstairs.

The office held the printer, reference folders, and the desk she had arranged to let her work without balancing papers around a meal.

At 4:28, Mark came down behind her.

She pointed to the calendar taped beside the desk.