The Call Connects

Claire's phone clicks as the call connects, and Warren watches her face shift from suspicion to polite professionalism as she asks for him by name. The office receptionist's voice crackles through the speaker—'I'm sorry, Mr. Sable is out of the office today'—and Claire's eyes snap to him, the wig on the table suddenly a glaring accusation. He feels the belt buckle press against his spine, a cold reminder of David's claim, as Claire's hand tightens on the phone. 'He's standing right here,' she says, her voice dangerously calm, 'but he says he's been at a conference all week.' The silence stretches, and Warren knows the next words will shatter everything.