There was a selection of gowns spread out in the living room, and what looked like a makeup kit on a table, as if someone had used the space as a makeshift dressing room. Archie noted a red hooded sweatshirt cast over the back of a sofa, and a pair of black sneakers kicked under a chair. Susan had a sweatshirt like that. But so did half the people on the east side.

“Upstairs,” Star whispered.

Archie nodded and followed her out of the living room and up a flight of carpeted stairs. Their footsteps were soundless on the carpet and the house felt still and empty. But as they headed down the second-story hall, Archie could make out the faint sound of water running. Star stopped at a closed door and put her ear to it and listened. The water sounded like it was coming from the other side. “It’s me,” Star said. She turned the doorknob and pushed the door in.

Archie followed her inside to a large guest bedroom suite.

The door to the private bath was open, and Leo Reynolds stood in front of the sink, with the faucet running. He was wearing a tuxedo, but the jacket and tie were gone. His shirt was unbuttoned and open, and his sleeves were rolled up. The white fabric of the shirt was soaked with blood—arterial spray, low-velocity. The water in the sink was pink. He was cleaning up.

Leo froze when he saw Archie. His eyes were bloodshot. His hands shook. Whatever had happened, it had been bad.

“Are you okay?” Archie asked.

Leo exhaled roughly and stared at Archie with dismay. Then his eyes went to Star. “What have you done?” he asked. “Bringing him here?”

“He can help,” Star said.

“We were worried about you,” Archie said. “What’s going on? Tell me what happened.”

“They’ll be back any minute,” Leo said. “Jesus Christ.” He looked fixedly at Archie. “We have a problem,” he said. He walked toward Archie and put his arm around Archie’s shoulder. Archie could smell the soap Leo had used, an astringent, eye-watering odor; he’d known to use something strong, something that would obliterate any trace of blood that Luminol might pick up. “Listen to me,” Leo said. “We don’t have much time. Susan is on the island.” Archie felt something deep inside him go cold. “They’re using her to control me,” Leo said. “You have to find her and get her out of here.”

“Susan?” Archie said. His mind went back to the red hooded sweatshirt downstairs. “What?”