TUESDAY
8:11 A.M. — CROFT ESTATE
Tuesday arrived without an emergency.
Allison noticed immediately.
She woke to sunlight instead of an alarm, Lucian's arm across her waist, and the suspicious absence of anyone calling to report an arrest, a frozen account, a corporate revolt, a missing relative, or a secret organization that had somehow survived the last secret organization.
She stared at the ceiling.
Lucian's voice came from beside her.
"No."
Allison turned her head.
His eyes were still closed.
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking too loudly."
"I was thinking that it's Tuesday."
One eye opened.
"Dangerous."
"Historically."
"Go back to sleep."
"I can't."
"You can. I've seen you do it."
Allison rolled toward him.
"What time is your meeting?"
"Nine-thirty."
"The pension briefing?"
"Governance committee follow-up."
"And mine?"
"You don't have one."
She narrowed her eyes.
Lucian opened the other eye.
