And Owen knew enough to understand that his warning had been right.
Then Claire heard something from the kitchen.
A faint electronic chime.
Nathan’s phone lit up.
He looked down.
Claire saw his expression change.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
He reached for the phone.
Claire moved at the same moment.
She grabbed Owen’s hand and stepped toward the door.
Nathan reached for the lock.
Claire caught the handle first.
For a second, all three of them were pulling in different directions.
Then Owen said one sentence.
“Mom, look at the clock.”
Claire did.
The final time on the paper had arrived.
And Nathan was holding the door shut.
