“We will have a patrol car circle the block a few times today, Mrs. Vance,” he said.

“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate that.”

He gave a brief nod, turned, and walked out to his cruiser.

I turned the heavy brass deadbolt, hearing the lock slide into place with a solid, heavy thrum.

The silence of the house settled around me, thick and sudden.

I walked back into the living room, my legs feeling heavy and weak.

I sat down on the edge of the velvet sofa, looking at the empty space where Rylan’s modern leather chair had sat.

The grandfather clock in the corner chimed the hour, its deep tone filling the quiet room.

Then, the phone in my pocket buzzed.

I pulled it out, expecting a call from the bank or my lawyer.

Instead, the screen lit up with an incoming text message from an unknown number.

I tapped the screen, and my breath caught in my throat as I read the words.

The message was from an unknown number, but the tone was instantly recognizable.

“Calla, you have to stop this madness right now,” the text read.