Expecting to see tears, Forbes braced himself. He never got accustomed to seeing them cry. Other than fear and anger, he was acutely uncomfortable with people’s emotions. Focus. He repeated the mantra in his head. A job is a job.

But Forbes was relieved to see that she didn’t burst into tears. Instead, her eyes narrowed and she nodded to herself. “I know who hired you.”

“It’s really none of my business.” Forbes pointed to the glass again. “Dr. Horton, will you reconsider that drink now? It might help.”

She nodded. Still shaky, she stepped away from the kitchen cabinets and moved cautiously toward the table. She reached the far side of the table and pulled out the chair behind it. She reached forward and picked up the wine glass in her right hand.

In one rapid motion, the speed of which surprised even Forbes, she hurled the glass at him. He dodged to his left just as it flew by his ear and exploded against the wall behind. He saw her disappear through the kitchen doorway into the hall.

Standing on the spot, Forbes smoothed his hair and sighed.

They always run.

49 - Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

49

Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The blood pounding in her ears, Horton sprinted the ten paces down the hallway to the front door. She grabbed for the door handle and pulled. It didn’t budge. With both hands, she yanked harder. Nothing. Desperately, she dug in her heels and heaved with all her might but she realized with welling panic that the door didn’t move an inch.

“Dr. Horton,” the man said in his chillingly calm voice. “It’s not going to open.”

She glanced over her shoulder and saw him sauntering nearer. He pointed with the knife to the door’s hinges. She looked over and saw the metal clamps locked around them.

Releasing her hold on the doorknob, she turned and faced him.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Horton, but I had to ensure the house was secure.” Like every other one of his comments, the remark was devoid of emotion. His lifeless eyes were the perfect match for his tone. She knew then, with abrupt finality, that she wouldn’t escape. Her panic subsided, replaced by the cold numbness of resignation.

“Would you reconsider that drink now, Dr. Horton?” he asked.

She nodded. She trudged toward him. Out of reflex, her heart still skipped a beat and her throat tightened as she walked past him and into the kitchen. She noticed that he had already replaced the broken wineglass with a new one placed beside the bottle.

She pulled out the chair and sat down. Walking around the table, his feet crunched on the broken glass. He stood directly across from her. His expression remained as relaxed as ever, but he kept an attentive eye on her hand near the new wineglass.