It was 9pm. Val and Gwen sat outside of Gabrielle’s house. Val’s pulse pounded hard: she was worried about someone seeing them go into the house. She glanced over to the Ballards’ home. Lights could be seen in the front room window, flickers suggesting someone was watching a TV. She looked over at the other houses. Most were similar, with TV lights flashing. A quiet night, families watching a movie. Hopefully no one was looking out of their window.

“Did Detective Gavin mention a safe deposit box?” Gwen asked as they continued to sit in the car.

“No. Doesn’t mean that he didn’t find it. He just never mentioned it if he did.”

“A review of Gabrielle’s bank statements would have shown a fee for a safe deposit box.”

“I know that. That’s what I’m kind of worried about. If one exists, the Morgans will certainly find out about it.”

“Okay, let’s just quickly go in and get this over with, then,” Gwen said. “How do you want to do this?”

Val knew Gwen was asking how they were planning to get to Gabrielle’s door, and not be spotted by any of the neighbors. “Once we’re out of the car, we’ll walk up the block, then come back down. If anyone hears our car doors shut and looks out of a window, they’ll just see two women walking on the sidewalk, probably company going to someone’s home, and then hopefully retreat back to their TV.” Val wore a knit hat with a pom-pom. Gwen had one too. Each wore puffer jackets and knee-high snow boots. “We look innocent. And hence boring for anyone watching us.”

“Please tell me you didn’t stay up all night thinking of this one? I was wondering why you wanted me to wear this silly hat.” Gwen tugged on the bottom, adjusting it over her ears. “It is warm though. But I want you to know I’ll get hat hair from this. And static. Don’t even get me started on static.” Gwen, like Val, grew up in a cold weather climate. Both knew the pros and cons of hat wearing. Warm, cute when you have it on, but taking it off was hair kiss of death.

“It looks good on you,” Val said, appraising Gwen.

“Thanks. This jolly pom-pom probably takes about ten years off my age.” Gwen laughed.

There was silence for a few seconds before Val said with a deep breath, “Okay, let’s go.” She opened the door and stepped outside.

Following the plan, Val and Gwen walked up the block, about six houses, then circled back. This was all Val’s bad leg could take before going numb. On their way back, Val glanced into the window of the Ballards’ home. She stopped dead in her tracks.