Chau could hear Steeple shouting at them over the tinny line. She took the receiver and a deep breath. They didn’t have time for this. She put the phone to her ear.

“//Mr. Steeple!// We are calling to //clear up// misunderstandings, not create them!” Edana skittered back, blinking at the transformed Chau. //She should have been a teacher…// “Are you ready to speak to us like a rational person, or shall we call back tomorrow?”