“It’s not your fault,” said Zoe as she walked past him clutching her husband’s arm. “I told you to send him up. Please don’t blame yourself.”

“Thanks for understanding, Ms. Brandt,” said Don. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

When they got to their front door, Zoe froze. “Are you ready?” said Conner gently. “I promise, everything looks fine.”

Zoe inhaled and exhaled and then nodded as the two walked into their apartment. “Everything looks normal. You’d hardly know anything happened here,” she said softly while standing inside the front door in the large foyer. “I can’t go into the living room yet. I don’t know when I’ll be able to go in there.” She turned to the right, bypassing the living room entirely and walked down the long hall to the master bedroom.

“Go at your own pace,” Conner called out as he watched his wife disappear into their room. When he stepped into the bedroom a few minutes later, Zoe was already in bed with the comforter pulled up to her chin. Dropping their bags on the end of the bed, he sat down next to her.

“Listen to me,” he said, gently rubbing her arm. “You’ve been through a terrible thing. You’re probably still in shock. Don’t push yourself. Do what feels good to you, okay? I’ll take care of everything, I promise.”

Zoe nodded, happy to have someone else in control.

“Why don’t you take a shower? You’ll feel better.”

Her lips quivered and she started to shake. Conner moved closer and put his arms around her. “I’m here. I promise, I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said. “Look at me, Zoe. The man who tried to hurt you is dead. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

“But who was he and why did he come here? Why did he pick me?” said Zoe still shaking. “I don’t understand any of it.”

“The police think he could be the West Side Strangler. There’s no rhyme or reason to any of his crimes,” said Conner, stepping back and looking into her eyes. “Zoe, do you realize you may have stopped a serial killer?”

“How do we know it was the Strangler? What if it wasn’t? What if the man I killed has friends and they come back for me to seek revenge?” she said, starting to hyperventilate. “They could be watching us right now. Maybe he was a member of an organized crime family or a gang? What if they saw me come back into the building?”

“You’ve got to calm down. Turn that vivid imagination off, it always gets you into trouble. No one is getting in here. Trust me, you’re safe. This place is FBI certified,” said Conner, giving her a little smile. “And don’t forget, I always pack a gun.”