He can’t argue with that. Judy’s trademark is her bright red lipstick. She would never be able to drink from a glass without a little bit of it wiping off.

“And I saw that footprint on the floor,” I remind him.

“That was probably Judy’s,” he says, even though it’s preposterous. “Or mine.”

“Also,” I add, “we saw that light on upstairs when we were walking over here. Somebody is upstairs.”

Ethan purses his lips. He looks over at the water glass across the kitchen, then up at the spiral staircase leading to the second floor. “I don’t know, Tricia. If someone else were here, wouldn’t they have come down and told us to get the hell out of their house?”

He has a good point. “Maybe they’re not supposed to be here.”

He doesn’t disregard the possibility. Now his eyes are trained on the stairwell. “Okay. Suppose that’s true. What should we do?”

I’ve still got my purse slung over my shoulder. I reach inside and pull out my phone. Still no signal. “I think we should check upstairs.” Ethan looks like he’s about to protest, so I quickly add, “we’re stuck here for the night. Are you going to be able to sleep if you know a stranger is lurking around the house?”

“You’re right,” Ethan finally says. “I should go check it out. You stay here.”

“No way.” I shake my head vigorously. “I’m going with you. You’re not leaving me alone down here.”

Again, he seems like he’s about to protest but then thinks better of it. He rubs his chin with his thumb for a moment, then reaches for something on the kitchen counter. It takes me a moment to realize that it’s a block of knives. The long serrated blade Ethan pulls out glints in the overhead lights in the kitchen. “Should be prepared, right?”

I have no objection to him taking a knife. I’m tempted to grab one myself.

We walk together across the living room, past the portrait of Dr. Adrienne Hale. I’m quickly starting to despise that painting. This house is creepy enough without those green eyes following me around everywhere. It’s a relief when we get to the staircase, away from her gaze.