“You told me you were finished with all that.”

“That was the idea,” Richard said.

A sharp ringtone sounded from the front hall, slicing straight through the low hum of the refrigerator.

Richard went directly into the foyer, his heavy leather work boots striking the pine floorboards in measured, even steps.

William followed two steps behind and stopped at the oak doorframe.

The silver cell phone was lying face up on the little glass table beside the wooden umbrella stand.

Its screen lit up with a bright blue glow under the hall light.