A millimeter away from taking another taste of her wine, Lisa’s voice echoed in her glass. “I’m sorry I asked.”

***

After enjoying a leisurely meal followed by a pot of French press coffee and raspberry sorbet, Bennett and Lisa strolled from the restaurant just before nine. The late November weather had brought with it a hint of winter, the evening temperature barely hovering above freezing, and as they strolled toward Lisa’s car, she tugged on her gloves. “Come on. I’ll drive you home.”

“Thank you for the invitation, but I think I’ll walk. It’s a beautiful night.”

“Really,” Lisa said, snapping her head around. “It’s freezing.”

“Not quite, and I like the cold,” Bennett said, opening the driver’s door of Lisa’s sedan. “Thank you for the marvelous evening, Lisa. I truly enjoyed it.”

“I did, too,” Lisa said, gazing at Bennett for a moment. “Maybe we can do it again?”

“We’ll see,” Bennett said softly. “Now, get yourself home, and please drive safely.”

Lisa slipped behind the wheel, placing her hand on the door before Bennett could close it. “Wait. I have something for you.” Lisa opened the center console and handed Bennett a paperback. “Here.”

“What’s this?”

“It’s a murder mystery I’ve been meaning to give you. You may like it.”

“Not a vampire tale?” Bennett said, slipping the book into the inside pocket of her coat.

“No, those just make me laugh.”

“Me, too,” Bennett said, tapping on the roof of the car. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lisa. Have a good night.”

Bennett closed the car door, and she waited until Lisa pulled away from the curb before she proceeded down the sidewalk. Bennett chose her regular route, taking her time as she walked down Beacon Street past the park. Every so often, she’d stop to listen for the sounds of distress or drug deals, but it wasn’t until she’d passed her own art gallery when the cries of a woman reached her.

Bennett turned toward the sound, listening intently to get her bearings. In between the woman’s sobs and sniffles was the sound of water, and cutting through an alley, Bennett headed toward the river. Emerging on the next street over, Bennett listened again and then turned left.

The woman’s whimpers grew louder the further Bennett traveled, and coming to a building under construction, Bennett stopped. The cries stopped, but there was still a heartbeat, and it was coming from inside the building.