ia

ng people! Help!" Mrs. Vance s

de the house. Simon emerged into the dayligh

ngry red welts on her skin. She rushed to Sim

d, pressing her face

an to twitch, and a fine, oily sheen of sweat

trembled.

his terrified eyes to

ing sweetness of baby powder and the raw scent o

infant, a purely animal reflex,

e during my absence?" I asked, st

tively stroking the baby's wispy hea

lence. He looked like a cowar

udy playground. The missing roses. Th

e of my question seemed to scrape against the cheap plastic of the child

He stared at the dirt where

e and talk about this

want privacy now? Why did you not spea

use this house and this man

my pocket and dialed

was clutching a leather folder full of contracts, beads of sw

did I ever authorize th

tween Rachel and Simon, wiping his

. Explain everything so she will sto

e," I d