The twins stepped in first, already familiar with the layout. Lily went toward the kitchen without hesitation. Leo headed down the hallway toward the study at the far end, moving with quiet purpose.
The apartment had not changed. The floors were dark, the bookshelves uneven, the large windows reflecting the river lights across the water.
Arianne removed her gloves as she crossed the threshold. Franz took her coat before she asked, his hand resting briefly at her elbow when she stepped aside to let Leo pass.
"You're on time," Julian said as he shut the door.
"We didn't account for traffic," Arianne replied.
Leo had already disappeared into the study. Julian did not follow immediately. He knew where Leo was going.
Franz followed a few seconds later.
The wooden hull sat at the center of the study table beneath a narrow lamp. The clamps from the previous week had been removed. The seam looked clean, though not perfect.
