Act I The admission envelope landed face-up on the stone path. Its cream paper slid across the entrance of Anderson Academy, stopping beneath the shadow of the carved gate pillars. The academy seal…

Act I The leather folder hit the courthouse floor with a sharp crack. Papers slid across the polished stone, scattering beneath the dark wooden courtroom doors and stopping near the brass plaque that…

Act I The tool case burst open before the cameras stopped rolling. Metal wrenches skidded across the glowing launch floor, scattering beneath the red carpet lights and stopping near the covered concept car….

Act I The trustee folder hit the marble first. It burst open at the foot of the donor wall, blue cover sliding across the polished floor while papers stamped with the university seal…

Act I The delivery box split open when it hit the floor. A damp cardboard corner tore against the polished lobby stone, spilling a stack of papers just far enough for the gold…

Act I The donation envelope slid across the marble before anyone moved. It landed beneath the edge of the stage, crumpled and stained, its corner bent from the fall. A second later, Mrs….

Act I The name badge hit the black floor before anyone said a word. It slipped from the young cashier’s jacket, clattered once beneath the glass counter, and spun under the spotlights until…

Act I The punch landed beside the white rose arch. For one stunned second, the entire lakeside wedding stopped breathing. The older man fell backward into the rose bush, his shoulder tearing against…

Act I The boarding pass hit the lounge floor before the baby made a sound. It slid beneath the edge of a luxury rolling suitcase, folded in half, the gold first-class lettering still…