There was a note of menace in Frank’s voice that Hannah had never heard before. It puzzled her and her mind spun through the possibilities until it came to a shuddering halt at a terrible suspicion. She tried to step back, but Frank’s arms were like bands of steel around her.

“Figured what out?” she asked, hoping he’d think she was thoroughly mystified by his question.

“You found the camera,” he said.

Careful. If you’re careful, you may be able to talk your way out of this. You have to give him a kernel of truth so he thinks you’re ingenuous and you can’t let him guess that you suspect him.

“Yes. Yes, I did find the camera. I’m really sorry, Frank. I know you’re just as disappointed as I am.”

An expression of doubt crossed Frank’s face. “Disappointed?”

“Yes. I really like Tad, but he shouldn’t have hooked up that surveillance camera so he could spy on Ronni. That wasn’t a nice thing to do. I can’t say I blame him though. I know he was crazy about her. I’m right, aren’t I?”

“He was crazy about her, all right!”

“Ronni brought this on herself, you know. She was horribly mean to Tad at her birthday party when he gave her those lovely flowers. I can’t say I entirely blame him for waiting until everyone else had left and fighting with her in the hot tub. I’m sure he didn’t mean to kill her though. Tad’s no killer.”

“You’re right about that! So that’s what you figured out, huh?”

“Yes. I just called Mike and he’s going to go talk to Tad.”

Frank laughed and it wasn’t a pleasant sound. “No, you didn’t. I was watching you on my laptop monitor. You never got through to him.”

“You’re right. I was going to call him, but I couldn’t get a good signal, not with all that interference. But he’ll be here any minute anyway. He’s picking me up. I’ll tell him to talk to Tad then.”

“You won’t be telling him anything, not where you’re going.” Frank pulled his gun, whirled her around, and stuck the barrel against her back. “Walk. It’s cold in here, and you’re going to spend some time in the sauna. Too bad you’re going to overdo it. You’ll suffer a heat stroke and die, and everyone will think it’s a terrible accident.”

“Why are you doing this?” Hannah asked, willing her voice not to shake. “I told you I didn’t think Tad killed Ronni on purpose. Once he explains, I’m sure everyone will believe that it was an accident.”