living-room window while Luke and Violet napped upstairs.
Cassandra had gone with Marisol to help prepare dinner.
Outside, snow gathered along the fence.
Inside, the Christmas tree lights reflected softly against the glass.
“I’ll look into it after the holiday,” I told Martin. “Quietly.”
“And Merritt?”
“What about it?”
“We need you in the office on the twenty-sixth.”
– No.
Another silence.
“I’m sorry?”
“I’ll join remotely.”
“You’re in Denver.”
– Sí.
“Our headquarters are twelve minutes from your hotel.”
– Lo sé.
“Then why remotely?”
I looked toward the staircase.
“Because I’m
