I expected Ria to climb into bed after a little while. I’d tossed and turned until four in the morning. She still hadn’t come to bed. My alarm went off at five-thirty, and I didn’t even know when I had fallen asleep. Groaning, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Looking behind me, the blankets hadn’t been disturbed. Opening the door and heading downstairs, I found it was quiet.

I thought maybe she was asleep in her room, but her door was open. It was empty, and I pursed my lips. Looking at the ...