“You know I adore you and being away from you will be torture. I said I’d do anything for you. Guess I proved that, didn’t I? We’ll be together soon, I promise.”

“When? You promised October,” said Gabriela. “I’ve got something special planned.”

“Yes, October.”

Zoe was taken to the 24th Precinct by the detectives to make a statement, while Conner drove at dangerously high speeds on I-95 towards New York. Having tried his wife’s phone thirty times, he still had no idea if she was all right or what happened. He called 911 again, but couldn’t get connected to anyone who could provide any further information. Desperate for answers, he called a colleague from the FBI.

“It’s Conner,” he said breathlessly as his car crossed through Delaware.

“You still at Quantico?” said his FBI colleague.

“Listen, I’ve got an emergency,” said Conner frantically. “I was on the phone with my wife when someone came to our front door in New York with flowers. There was a scuffle and she screamed and then I heard nothing. I’m driving back but I won’t be in New York for a few hours. Can you help me?”

“Oh my God,” said the other agent. “Sure. What do you need me to do?”

“I tried 911 again, but I still don’t know what happened to my wife. Can you go over to my apartment and—”

Conner’s phone beeped. “Hold on a second, there’s another call coming in. Get over to my apartment and see what’s going on and call me?”

“I’m walking out the door now,” said his friend.

Conner picked up the other call. “This is Conner Brandt.”

“Mr. Brandt, this is Detective Daryl Williams with the NYPD. I’m calling about your wife.”

Conner held his breath. “Is she okay?”

“We’ve got her here with us at the police station,” said Daryl. “She had a nasty blow to the head but she’s all right now and giving her statement.”

“Thank God. I was on the phone with her and I heard a fight going on.”

“Someone attacked your wife but she fought back. She wound up killing her attacker.”

Stunned, Conner let out the breath he had been holding. “Oh my God. Did he hurt her? But she’s okay, right? Can I speak to her?”

“She’ll be fine. According to your wife, the man tried to strangle her. Like I said, she’s giving her statement right now, but she was adamant that I call you and let you know she was not in any danger,” said Daryl. “She had to leave her phone with forensics so she doesn’t have a phone at the moment.”

“I’m in Jersey now driving north on the turnpike going as fast as I can. I should be in Manhattan in a little over an hour. She’s really okay?”