Without hesitation, Henry Russell switched to speakerphone upon hearing Charlotte Cooper's request. Charlotte nodded slightly in approval of his prompt response, then leaned back in her chair, waiting silently for Lily McKenzie's voice to come from the other end of the call.
"Henry, where are you?" As soon as the speakerphone was activated, Lily's saccharine voice flowed into Charlotte's ears, as though it could travel through the phone and wrap itself around Henry.
Charlotte shivered, her hair standing on end. She should already know that Henry left early, shouldn't she? What was the point of asking a question she already knew the answer to?
Henry glanced at Charlotte, and both stayed silent, as if they understood each other without speaking.
It seemed that Lily sensed the awkwardness on the other side of the phone. She laughed nervously and then continued, "Henry, they told me you left for home early. I got up very early to find you, but unfortunately, you weren't around."