When it let go, I heard Charles come back down the hall.

The deadbolt turned.

The door swung in, and he stood at the threshold with the phone still against his ear and his face gone the color of an old clam shell.

Courtney was behind him, holding her purse with both hands, and her acrylic nails had stopped tapping.

She was very quiet.

“Victoria.” He lowered the phone.

His fingers went to the signet ring on his pinky and began to turn it.

“Tell Franklin this is a family matter.