Yulia had been waiting at the door for Winnie since late in the evening, right up until after 11 p.m.. When she saw the Benz pull up, she didn't even care that her legs had gone numb. She limped toward the car as fast as she could.

But Winnie got out of the car alone. Yulia peeked into the car and asked, "Mr. Marlowe didn't drop you off?"

Winnie turned back and thanked the driver before walking up the front steps. She looked up at the bright moon overhead.

The wind was ...