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Gabi’s car is still in the driveway.

Inside, the kitchen light is on low. She is sitting at the island with a mug between both hands.

Her eyes go to me, then Colt. She does not ask.

“Tova’s upstairs,” she says. “She woke up when I moved her, brushed her teeth, and went straight back to sleep.”

“Thank you.”

“Any time.”

Colt takes Gabi’s mug to the sink.

She puts on her shoes and lifts her bag.

At the door she touches my arm once.

Nothing else.

She leaves.

The latch catches behind her.

Chapter forty-two

Colt

Gabi’s car backs out of the driveway.

Astrid stays facing the door while I put the mug in the sink.

“Okay.”

She turns.

“No.”

I stop.

“No what?”

“No explanation that begins with the result.”

I lean against the counter.

“I wasn’t going to.”

“You were.”

Maybe.

She takes two steps into the kitchen.

“You called his father.”

“Yeah.”

“After Tova told you not to.”