She stepped inside the condo, and Jake shut the door behind her. She walked into the living room, dark because the curtains were closed, but what she could see looked grimy and unkempt. And it was too warm, the windows yet to be opened since winter.

“What did you do?” she asked.

Jake scratched at his scalp. The sides of his lips were crusted in white, like he needed to drink a glass of water. “Did he see me?”

“Did who see you?” Alice asked. She decided if Jake was suddenly going to confess everything to her, she wasn’t going to make it easy for him.

“Did Harry see me last night, outside of the motel?”

“I think he did, Jake. What were you doing there?”

“I went to her motel room to keep an eye on her. I still thought—”

“Who, Jake?”

“Grace’s sister. She’d come to identify the body.”

“So what?”

“Because she must have known about Bill and his affair with her sister.”

“So what?” Alice said again.

“I just wanted to keep an eye on her, Alice. I haven’t been able to sleep for days.”

“You killed Bill’s girlfriend?”

“She was talking with Harry, Alice. She knew something. I know she did.” He sat down on the recliner. Alice’s eyes had adjusted to the dark living room, and she saw dust particles rising in the light from the kitchen as Jake settled his weight onto the chair. “I’m tired, Alice.”

“Were you going to kill her, too?”

Jake sighed through his nose. “Who, Caitlin? She was after Harry, as well, as it turned out. I was watching her motel, and he showed up there. I took off running, but, Jesus, I don’t know . . .”

“Relax, Jake. Maybe you need to tell me everything you’ve done.”

“If he saw me, then he’s probably already told the police. They could be on their way here right now.”

“He didn’t tell the police anything.”

“He told Caitlin about me. He’ll tell the police.”

“What do you mean? Did you go see Caitlin?”

“She was scared of me, Alice. She knew. And if she knew, then the police know.”

“What did you do to her?” Alice asked.

“I took care of it. She’s in the trunk of my car in the garage.”

“Jesus. Jake, you need—”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s all taken care of.”

“It’s not all taken care of. You’re right, the police are going to come after you. You need to either leave town, or—”

“Shhh, I know what needs to be done. That’s why I asked you here. For your help. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need you to do this. I don’t think I can do it myself.”

“I don’t know what—”