Chapter Four: The Impact Mark

“Count the people on your recording,” Evelyn said. On playback, six tourists breathed: Lin, Amara, Mia, Luca, Henry, Evelyn. Jonas made seven. An eighth breath, close to the microphone and roughened by caramel tobacco, said, “Roman Bell.” Then a ninth voice spoke a name none of them knew. “Sabine Krauss.” Jonas snatched the recorder and smashed it against the stones. Before the machine broke, the woman finished: “Dad, stop trading other people for me.”