“Good. Well, you’re up against it now. Detective Bowman wants to come and talk to you again. I put her off briefly, but she’s not going to let go of this.”

“Shit.”

“Connor, if the cops come to your house or call you, just shut up and don’t do anything. Except call me. I’ll be there before they really start asking you anything. Okay? Did you hear me? Just shut your damn mouth and wait for me.”

“Okay.”

“Do you have friends you can call? Family?”

“I have a sister in Michigan, but I’m not going to bother her. I’m fine.”

“If you say so . . .”

“Diana, none of this can be real. Can it?”

But I’m talking into the void.

“Diana? Diana?”

She’s gone.

And I feel completely alone.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

I tell myself I’m doing this for Grendel. If the police come at some point and haul me away, bring me to the station and question me all night, who will take care of my dog?

But really, I know why I’m doing it.

I’m scared.

The police already think I know more about Sophia’s death than I should, so what are they going to think now that I’ve gone and tried to talk to her husband?

I grab Grendel’s leash, a bag of his food, and a box of his treats.

“Come on, boy. We’re going on a visit.”

I’m not even sure it’s going to work. I worry about running into the cops as we go out the back door into the freezing night. When I’m out here, my body freezes. But not from the weather.

What if the person who killed Sophia is now looking for me?

What if it’s Zach, and he’s decided to take revenge another way?

The night is so quiet, it’s like I’m the last man on earth.

No one to call to for help. No one to defend me.

If there’s a killer lurking in the darkness . . .

Or maybe it’s Madeline waiting . . . ready to gong me again. . . .

The atmosphere feels brittle and sharp. It’s like the very air has edges that poke and prod my skin. Grendel climbs into the backseat, tail wagging. He loves going in the car, but he must be wondering what the hell I’m doing so late.

I slam the driver’s door shut and engage the locks. I breathe a little easier as I start the car.

I back out of the driveway, looking both ways up and down the street. No flashing lights, no sirens. I’m slipping away.