The sitting room remained quiet after the front door closed. For several seconds the faint sound of a car engine carried through the windows as Wendy and Daryll's vehicles moved slowly down the long driveway. The headlights briefly crossed the garden before disappearing beyond the iron gate at the end of the property.
Then the house returned to its usual evening calm.
The campaign folder still rested on the low table between the sofas. Franz reached forward and gathered the photographs Wendy had left behind, aligning the edges neatly before sliding them back into the portfolio.
Across from him Arianne remained seated, one arm resting lightly against the back of the sofa as she watched him. Neither of them spoke.
Footsteps sounded briefly in the entrance hall. Gio appeared a moment later, pushing his phone into the pocket of his coat as he crossed the room.
"They're gone," he said.
Arianne nodded once.
