Patricia ignored me, continuing her conversation with the police captain.

“She is refusing to leave, Captain, and she is acting highly unstable,” Patricia said.

“The girls are here, and I am deeply concerned for their safety.”

She paused, listening to the voice on the other end of the line.

The kitchen clock ticked loudly on the wall, filling the spaces between her words.

The smell of caramelized onions and roasted rosemary still lingered in the air from lunch, a stark contrast to the poison filling the room.

“Thank you, Captain,” Patricia said, her voice dropping to a grateful whisper.

“I appreciate you sending someone right away.”

“Please tell them to use the side gate.”

She ended the call with a soft tap of her thumb and let the phone drop to her side.

The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the sound of the rain outside.

“He will be here in less than ten minutes,” Patricia said, turning to face us fully.

“You girls have a very short window to get out of the way.”