Outside, the security lights flickered once, then turned steady again.

The black SUV had stopped near the front porch.

The exhaust from the tailpipe rose in thick, white clouds in the freezing air.

The driver’s side door opened.

A man in a heavy leather jacket stepped out, holding an umbrella over the rear passenger door.

Marcus stepped into the snow.

He did not rush.

He adjusted the lapels of his gray coat, then looked up at the second-floor window where we stood.

For a second, I thought he looked directly at me.

My heart beat hard against my ribs, but my hands remained steady.

“He is coming up,” Luca said.

His hand was shaking as he reached for his pocket.

“Do not pull a gun, Luca,” I said.

“He has four men with him.”

“If you shoot, you die in this hallway.”

“And I need you alive.”

Luca looked at me, his eyes searching my face.

“What do you want me to do?” he asked.

“Go down and meet him,” I said.

“Tell him I am here.”

“Tell him I decided to wait for him.”