By the time they got home, the house was quiet—eerily quiet for a place that large. Rue didn’t come bounding around the corner barking like she usually did. Even the subtle noises and the usual faint whirs from cleaning machines were missing. It felt like the entire building was holding its breath.

Lucas helped her out of the car and up the steps without saying much. She still had on the thin shoot dress, the jacket from earlier slung over her shoulders. Her eyes were glassy from crying ...