She twisted her fingers together and could not assemble a single coherent answer.

“Then tell me,” I said, very softly, “why you waited nearly twenty minutes before you called for help.”

Chapter 7 — The Capsules

Priscilla started to cut in again, and for the first time in their entire marriage, Malcolm put his hand on his wife’s arm and stopped her.

“And explain one more thing,” I went on, watching Kayla’s face.

“The project you keep mentioning was approved last week.

There were no urgent documents to hand off at two in the morning.