Chapter 11: Until Christmas Eve

Jean's POV

After the shower I drove around Lake Washington until the gas light came on.

I didn't cry, and I didn't turn on the radio.

I came home at ten-thirty to a dark house and Colin's car missing from the garage.

He had texted at eight: "Staying at the office tonight. Long day. Love you."

I stood in the kitchen with my coat still on.

Headlights swung across the window.

I knew the truck by its engine before I saw it.

Nathan came up the porch steps two at a time and I opened the door before he knocked.

"Is he here?"

"No."

"Has anyone been in the house?"

"I've been out all evening."

"Check the study," he said. "Now. I'll tell you why on the way."

He did, on the stairs, in a low steady voice.

Simone had a key.

She had the safe code.

She had asked Colin twice where the agreement was.

I took the stairs faster than I had meant to.

The study door was closed, and I knew I had left it open.

I pushed it with two fingers.

The safe stood open about an inch.

The shelf where the agreement had lived for eight years was bare.

I had carried it out in a library book on Monday.

I breathed out.

"She was here," I said. "She looked for it and it's gone."

"Good," said Nathan. "She'll know it's gone, too."

"Then she'll know I took it."

"Yes."

I looked around the room.

On the desk, squared to the edge, lay a small yellow package.

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