“Sheriff Miller,” Ethan said into the phone, his voice rising into a breathless, ragged pitch.

“I need an officer at the house immediately.”

Victoria watched him from the settee without stirring, taking a quiet sip from her flute as she listened.

“My wife has had another serious psychological episode,” Ethan said into the phone, pacing two short steps toward the tall curtained window.

“Her father barged into the house with no warning.”

He stopped, letting a heavy, ragged sigh travel down the line.

“He was extremely aggressive, Frank,” Ethan said, dropping his voice into a careful, hushed whisper.