PART 3
He hadn’t expected them this quickly.

Neither had she.

He looked back at Mary.

“You called them.”

“No.”

“You did.”

“I didn’t.”

His jaw tightened.

Then, astonishingly, he smiled again.

“Good.”

Mary frowned.

“Good?”

“I’ve dealt with police before.”

Those words chilled her far more than the gun.

Not because of what he said.

Because of how casually he said it.

Like someone discussing bad weather.

Outside, another knock.

“Police Department! Someone called 911 from this address.”

Evan leaned toward Danielle.

“Kiss me.”

She hesitated.

“Kiss me.”

Tears streamed down Danielle’s face as she forced herself to lean against him.

To anyone looking through a window…

They would appear to be an affectionate couple.

Evan looked at Mary.

“You will answer the door.”

“If you say one word…”

He gently tapped Danielle’s ribs with the barrel of the pistol.

“…she dies.”

Mary nodded.

Not because she agreed.

Because she needed him to believe she had.

Officer Luis Ramirez stood on the porch beside Officer Emily Carter.

Neither looked alarmed.

Yet.

They had responded to enough silent 911 calls to know something was wrong.

A woman opened the door.

Late fifties.

Apron.

Tired eyes.

She smiled.

Too quickly.

“Officers.”

Ramirez returned the smile.

“Evening, ma’am.”

“We received a disconnected emergency call.”

“Oh…”

Mary laughed.

“I’m so embarrassed.”

She held up her cellphone.

“I accidentally dialed while cooking.”

Ramirez nodded politely.

“It happens.”

He didn’t leave.

Instead he looked past her.

“I just need to verify everyone inside is okay.”

Mary felt Evan’s eyes burning into the back of her head.

“We’re fine.”

Officer Carter noticed something.

Mary’s left hand.

It was shaking.

Only slightly.

But continuously.

Not the trembling of an elderly person.

The trembling of fear.

“Ma’am…”

Carter smiled warmly.

“May we speak with everyone for just a minute?”

Before Mary could answer…

Evan appeared beside her.

Still smiling.

“Evening, officers.”

Ramirez immediately evaluated him.

Clean clothes.

Confident posture.

Perfect eye contact.

No visible intoxication.

Nothing obviously suspicious.

“My girlfriend’s mother accidentally pocket-dialed.”

He laughed.

“We’ve all done it.”

Danielle slowly stepped into view.

Officer Carter focused entirely on her.

Young woman.

Red eyes.

Pale.

Hands clasped tightly together.

“You alright?”

Danielle nodded.

“Yes.”

Her voice barely existed.

Evan answered anyway.

“She’s emotional.”

“Why?”

“It’s the anniversary of her father’s death.”

Mary almost spoke.

Danielle’s father was alive.

Living in Arizona.

Evan had invented the lie instantly.

Officer Carter noticed Danielle begin to answer before stopping herself.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

“We appreciate your cooperation,” Ramirez said.

“Before we leave…”

He looked directly at Danielle.

“Miss…”

“Danielle.”

“Would you mind stepping outside for just a moment?”