The stillness inside the countryside house was suffocating. Alexa sat motionless on the edge of the couch, her fingers laced tightly in her lap, while Roman paced like a lion in its cage. Neither spoke, but the silence screamed.

Then Roman opened the door a crack, cautiously. On the porch stood Officer Miranda Lane. The NYPD detective had been unofficially helping Roman since the night of the chaos.

“May I come in?”

Roman nodded. “Please.”

Alexa watched her carefully. “Any news? ...