“It’s no trouble at all, Raymond,” Valerie said, pushing the black plastic handle firmly into my right palm.

“Stay warm on the road, Dad,” Garrett said from the foyer doorway, his arms folded across his chest.

“Good night, Garrett,” I said.

I stepped out into the carpeted hallway and walked toward the elevators without looking back.

The silver doors slid open as soon as I pressed the lit down button.

I stepped into the brass-trimmed elevator car and pushed the round button for the underground parking garage.

The heavy steel doors clicked shut, closing me inside the small mirrored car.