The rain had started sometime after sundown. At first it was a low tapping against the windows, then a sudden sweep of wind that rattled the glass. By the time Claudia arrived, soaked from the knees down and wrapped in an oversized coat, it had turned into a full downpour. The kind of rain that came without pause. No breaks between drops. Just constant, urgent sound.

We were back at the boutique. The lights overhead were dimmed to a softer yellow. The main floor was quiet, cleared of customers ...