A dark corporate rental sedan pulled into the gravel driveway and stopped near the back garage door.

The engine shut off at six fourteen in the morning, two full days before Mark was due back from his corporate trip.

I stepped back into the shadows and set the canvas tote bag behind the pantry door.

Heavy footsteps came up the wooden porch steps and stopped beside the front doorknob.

Then I heard Mark’s key turning in the front door lock at 6:14 AM.

He pushed the heavy oak door wide open and held it with his left elbow.