“Yeah. You’re right. Eighth day, medicines. Ninth day, items of convenience.”

“Got it.”

“I would’ve been a decent god,” he said.

“You would’ve been a great god,” Izabel said. And he fell asleep.

By bedtime the toy was broken. The song would stop but the light wouldn’t turn off. After everyone was asleep, after Izabel turned off the light in the bathroom, she saw its light there on the countertop. She wondered if it was bright enough to be seen through the plastic windows of the dome. And would the killer see? And would the killer come? She put the toy in a drawer.

Sometimes she thought she drew him toward herself, with her dread of him.

    Chapter Twenty

Early in the morning, Paz called and said Izabel had to come in to the station. She didn’t tell her why, even when Izabel pressed her. Kaito yelled from bed that he didn’t like it. Izabel knew Paz could hear him, but she didn’t say more. She only insisted that Izabel come in.

Andy was already there when Izabel arrived. When they saw each other, they hugged for a long time.

“I’m sorry we had to leave so abruptly,” Izabel said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Andy said. “How’s the new house?”

“It’s good,” Izabel said. “How’s Hestia? How are you?”

“We’re good. House is a little lonely without all of you.”

“Please. I’m sure you’re glad to be rid of us. It was too much, all of us in there.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Andy smiled. “Do you know what this is about?”

“No,” Izabel said.

“Anything new happen?”

“Not with us.”

Officer Evans showed them back to an interrogation room.

“Is this really necessary?” Andy asked.

“I was told to bring you in here,” he said, and then he left.

“That’s a good sign,” Andy said.

“What?”

“He wouldn’t leave the room if you were a suspect again.”

“Would they have let me come here without a police escort if I were a suspect again?”

“Maybe not. But now we know for sure.”

Paz came in.

“Hello, ladies. I couldn’t tell you why we needed you here in case you refused, and this is coming from higher up. Not from me. Higher up.” She raised her eyebrows at them as if she were making an important point.

Izabel and Andy nodded.

“Good, so Lucy is here and you’re going to meet with her and I’m going to take notes.”

Izabel snorted.

“Don’t do that. You believe in this shit.”

“You don’t.”

“I certainly don’t, but we don’t have much to go on here and she keeps calling.”

“Why does Izabel need to be here?” Andy said.