“Yeah. Just scared. It was weird. I was in my pajamas and I had a mask on my face and there was a knock on the door. I looked through the peephole and saw Adil and Malik in the hallway, and because of what you told me, I decided I’d better ignore them. Besides, I didn’t want them to see me like that, and I, well, I just didn’t want to deal with anyone, so I pretended I wasn’t home. Like you do when the Mormons ring the doorbell.”

“You did the right thing,” said Lucy.

“But they weren’t Mormons. They picked the lock! I heard these scratches, and I’m standing there, wondering what’s going on, and the door opened. I couldn’t believe it. They must have picked the lock.”

“Did they get in?” demanded Bill.

“No. I’d put the chain across, so it only opened a few inches. I heard them swearing, and then they left. I heard them going down the stairs.”

“You didn’t believe me, but I was right about them,” said Lucy in an “I told you so” voice. “They did search our apartment, here, pretending to be police. The concierge showed us a security video. I was sure it was them.”

“If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it.” Elizabeth paused. “Do you think they killed Sylvie?”

“I guess it’s possible. I don’t know. They seemed like such nice guys,” said Lucy.

“That’s what they always say about these nuts,” added Bill.

“What if I hadn’t put the chain across, Mom? What do you think they would have done?”

Lucy didn’t want to think about it. “You can’t stay there alone,” said Lucy.

“I’m on my way,” said Bill.

They spent the rest of the night in Elizabeth’s apartment, where Bill and Lucy shared the opened futon in the salon. Elizabeth took the bed in Sylvie’s room, fastidiously wrapping herself in an extra blanket and sleeping atop the covers. Nobody slept very well.

In the morning, after drinking a couple of cups of strong coffee, Lucy came to a decision. “You have to call Girard and tell him what happened, and I think we have to tell Lapointe what’s been going on, too,” she said.

Bill nodded in agreement. “I’ll call and make an appointment,” he said.

“I have to go to work,” said Elizabeth, prompting the same reaction from both parents.

“Call in sick,” they said in unison.

“I can’t,” she protested.

“Oh, yes, you can,” said Lucy.

“You’re not going anywhere alone until this is cleared up,” said Bill. “And that’s final.”