The sitting room lights were on. The fire burned low. The table was not set. The television was turned off.
Lily sat up straight on the edge of the sofa. Her hands were in her lap, showing she was patient but not comfortable. Leo stood by the window with his tablet against his chest. Then he moved to sit cross-legged on the rug, leaving the tablet off. Neither spoke. They listened.
Arianne stood for a while, one hand resting on the back of a chair. Her phone lay on the table next to her, face down after the last message from Monica confirmed what she already knew. The drive back was quicker. Traffic had eased. Franz returned to the set without looking back. She watched until the side entrance closed behind him, then told the driver to take her home.
They heard the sound before they saw the headlights. A car turned into the drive and slowed on the gravel. Lily stood immediately. Leo didn't move, but he sat up straight.
