Victoria sat down.
Then she reached for her phone.
She called Claire.
Claire answered.
“Victoria?”
“I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
“I think you're in danger.”
Silence.
Claire's voice became careful.
“Why?”
“Because someone gave me a photograph.”
“What photograph?”
“You.”
Claire froze.
“Where?”
“Outside a federal facility.”
“When?”
“Before you moved here.”
Claire's breathing changed.
“Who gave it to you?”
“Gregory.”
The line went silent.
Then Claire asked:
“Is he still there?”
“No.”
“Where did he go?”
“I don't know.”
Claire stood.
Atlas was already awake.
Victoria heard the dog's low growl through the phone.
“Claire?”
“Yes?”
“I am sorry.”
Claire didn't answer.
Victoria's voice broke.
“I know you may not believe me.”
“I believe you.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Claire looked at Atlas.
“Because you're finally afraid of the right person.”
Victoria closed her eyes.
“What do I do?”
“Stay inside.”
“I'm scared.”
“So am I.”
Neither woman spoke.
Then Claire said:
“Call the federal agents.”
Victoria nodded.
“I will.”
The line ended.
Victoria immediately dialed the number Robert had given her.
But before anyone answered, the lights in her house went out.
Victoria froze.
A sound came from the backyard.
Metal scraping.
She grabbed her phone.
“Hello?”
No answer.
“Hello?”
The line went dead.
Victoria moved toward the kitchen.
Another sound.
Closer.
She reached the back door.
The handle moved.
Once.
Twice.
Victoria stepped backward.
Then her phone rang.
She almost dropped it.
It was Claire.
Victoria answered.
“Claire?”
“Don't open the door.”
Victoria's heart raced.
“How do you know?”
“Atlas heard something.”
Victoria whispered:
“What?”
“Someone is outside.”
Then a second voice came through the line.
Robert.
“Victoria, listen carefully.”
She put the phone on speaker.
“Do exactly what we tell you.”
Victoria nodded even though they couldn't see her.
“Okay.”
“Move away from the windows.”
She did.
“Go to the interior hallway.”