And the third, easing to a stop directly in front of the house with its lights sweeping once across the lawn, was a marked Austin Police Department cruiser.

Julian’s smile did not fade gradually.

It vanished, all at once, the way a light goes out.

Behind him, Chloe appeared in the doorway with a glass of white wine still in her hand, and she looked past her husband at the three vehicles and the men now stepping out of them, and her voice came out high and thin.

“What is this?” she said.