“For what it’s worth, I agree with your lady friend,” the burly cabdriver said, twisting in his seat. “My brother . . . Let’s just say he’s in the business of extracting information.” The cabby cracked his neck. He seemed lonely. Certainly didn’t appear to be in any hurry to have them exit his cab, although that might be in part because he hadn’t turned the meter off yet.

“Let’s settle up.” Mick pulled out his wallet.

The cabbie jabbed a button on his meter. “Strike while you can.” He was dispensing advice with a cocky grin, like he was a featured guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show. “Don’t give her a chance to wise up, fly the coop, or receive a bigger bribe from another party. That’ll be eighty-seven fifty, sir.” He had been pretty chatty the whole ride.

“We aren’t bribing anyone, sir,” Sarah said stiffly.

“Although.” The cabbie continued unperturbed. He tipped his chin toward the town house. “You sure you got the right address? Place seems pretty locked up for someone expecting visitors.” Sarah glanced at the town house. The windows were dark. Even the porch light had been extinguished, leaving the building in murky shadows.

“Sarah—” She knew what Mick was going to say. She was thinking it herself, but she hadn’t traveled across the country to turn back now.

“This is the right place. Thanks for the ride.” Sarah exited the cab before Mick could use his damnable logic on her. Vicki had called her. Asked her to come. Sarah wasn’t going to return to Manhattan without getting what she came for. She stepped onto the sidewalk and stared at the darkened building. An icy chill slithered down the back of her neck.

“Of course”—the cabbie continued as if he were discussing whether or not it might rain—“there’s always the possibility that someone’s already shut her mouth for her.”

Another shiver rippled through Sarah. She glanced around. The street was deserted. The bare, witchy branches of the black trees silhouetted against the night sky. The harsh glare of LED streetlights illuminated patches of concrete. There was something about the quality of light, along with the drop in temperature, that made the area seem even more daunting than before.

She felt Mick step beside her. “Ready?” he asked. Sarah nodded. She could feel tension in her jaw, in her shoulders. They crossed the sidewalk. Mick flicked on his cell phone flashlight to chase the darkness from the steps leading to the landing and Vicki’s front door.

It seemed unnaturally quiet. There was the whir of late-night traffic up the road at the intersection, but other than that the neighborhood seemed locked up tight. She was glad Mick had insisted on accompanying her.

Sarah rapped on the red door, which had seemed so cheery in the daylight but now, in the shadows, took on the hue of blood.

They waited.