# THOMPSON-HAYES: THE INSIDE OUT
## Chapter Twelve — Ashby Makes Contact
He called on a Thursday afternoon.
She was between classes — eleven minutes before period four, sitting at her desk eating the sandwich she had made that morning and reading Marcus Webb's latest revision — when her personal cell rang with a Houston area code she did not recognize.
She answered because she always answered unknown numbers now. It was a habit she had built after September and had never broken.
"Ms. Thompson." The voice was warm. Unhurried. The specific warmth of a man who had spent decades in rooms where warmth was the first instrument deployed. "My name is Richard Ashby. I hope this isn't a bad time."
She set the sandwich down.
She kept her voice completely even. "Mr. Ashby. This is a surprise."
