They have simply, carefully, only ever picked victims who could not fight back.

My mother could not fight back.

But I could.

Chapter 20 — Every Lock

“The locksmith,” Arthur announced, in the same even voice he might use to read a grocery list, “is going to re-key every exterior lock on this house tonight, right now.

I’ve also arranged for a private security team to remain on the property around the clock.

Any attempt by either of you to set foot on this lot after tonight will be treated as criminal trespass and will result in your immediate arrest.”

Chloe spun toward her husband, tears starting down her face.