Chapter 5: Four Floors

I texted Brendan from the bedroom, with the empty box in my lap.

She took Poppy's bracelet. Bring it to me.

He answered in under a minute.

I'm downstairs.

He came up the stairs two at a time and stopped in my doorway with his tie gone and yesterday's shirt on.

The locksmith was on his knees at the front door.

My father was in the kitchen, washing a cup that was already clean.

Clive stood by the window with his arms crossed.

"I don't have the bracelet," Brendan said. "I swear I don't. I'll find out."

"Ask her," I said.

"I will."

He looked at the yellow blanket on my bed.

"Justine, I didn't know she'd come here. I told her she could use the guest bed for one night. I didn't know she'd touch your things."

"You gave her a key."

"Because she kept getting locked out of her own place."

"For a year, Brendan."

He rubbed his face with both hands.

Then he said it the way he says everything, in a rush, with his shoulders squared.

"Here's what I'll do. She's out of my life. Out of my phone, my email, all of it. You can watch me block her."

"We'll go to Maui for a month, not a week. We'll move the wedding to June, anywhere you want, I'll pay for all of it."

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