Werner had finally counted the packages: there were twenty-five in total. Six had already been disposed of. If she took two shopping bags with her tomorrow, she might be able to carry half a dozen at once. She could do the same on Saturday too. But even then, there would still be six or seven parcels left, which she wouldn’t be able to get rid of until Wednesday at the earliest. That was too much. One parcel would be too much. Every scrap, every last hair. It had to go. All of it. The packages, the guns. The chest freezer. The house too, ideally. And her car, which she had used to transport it all. Everything that reminded her of last Friday.

A quiet whimpering emanated from a bed across the way—a heavily pregnant woman waiting for an epidural. She was sitting on the edge of the bed in a hospital gown, leaning forward. Anouk was holding her firmly and comforting her. “It’ll all be OK, I promise,” she heard Anouk say. “The three of you will be together soon enough. Then you’ll have a family.”

An uncertain smile appeared on the woman’s swollen, sweaty face. “A family . . . That sounds so wonderful.”

Anouk’s eyes met Helen’s over the patient’s hunched back. She winked.

Helen did her best to produce a smile, but turned away hurriedly when she felt the corners of her mouth starting to twitch.

10

10

Ralf took Naomi’s bike out of his car and closed the trunk.

“Are you up to anything tomorrow night?” she asked as she stuffed her coat under the straps on the pannier rack.

“Not really. Why?”

“Sara’s brother is turning sixteen.” She blew a strand of hair from her face. “He’s a bit of a jerk and his buddies are all idiots, but Sara invited some of her friends who are coming over for the film night on Saturday too. I thought it might be nice for you to get to know them a little earlier.”

“Where’s the party?”

“In the garage at their place. So it’s a date, then?” She gave him a peck on the cheek to say goodbye.

He fought the impulse to pull her toward him and kiss her on the lips. This wasn’t the right time. Tomorrow night would be better, and then a repeat on Saturday—or a second chance. He breathed in her scent. “Great,” he said hoarsely. “Will you watch out for Mikey?”

She looked at him a little uncertainly.

“If you see him, call me right away. OK?”

“OK.”

He watched her as she wheeled her bike away, her schoolbag hanging from her shoulder by one strap. Once she disappeared around the corner, he placed his fingers on the spot where she had just kissed him.

11

11

“I’d prefer to get it over with by Sunday too.”