Chapter 6 - The Man Outside the Door
The shadow beneath the laundry room door did not move.
Emily held her breath.
Mara slowly reached toward a heavy iron sitting beside the counter.
Then Daniel knocked.
“Emily?”
His voice sounded gentle.
Almost affectionate.
Emily forced herself to answer.
“Yes?”
“Are you okay?”
Mara silently shook her head, warning Emily not to unlock the door.
Emily looked around.
The plastic bag containing the filed bolt sat behind a basket of towels.
She kicked the basket backward.
“I’m tired.”
Daniel tried the handle.
The lock clicked.
“Why is the door locked?”
“I needed privacy.”
“For what?”
Emily looked at Mara.
“For crying.”
Silence.
Then Daniel sighed dramatically.
“Baby, I hate what happened downstairs.”
Emily said nothing.
“I know you’re frightened.”
She almost laughed.
“You should rest.”
“I will.”
“Open the door.”
Mara’s grip tightened around the iron.
Emily swallowed.
“Give me a minute.”
Another long pause followed.
Then the shadow disappeared.
His footsteps moved away.
Neither woman relaxed until they heard the office door close at the opposite end of the hall.
“He was listening,” Mara whispered.
“He suspects us.”
“He suspects me.”
Emily shook her head.
“No.”
She looked toward the hallway.
“He suspects both of us now.”
That evening, Daniel behaved as though nothing had happened.
A replacement meal was served in the formal dining room.
Candles burned.
Rain tapped softly against the windows.
Daniel sat at the head of the table cutting steak with slow, deliberate movements.
Emily forced herself to eat.
Mara moved quietly between the kitchen and dining room.
Daniel watched her constantly.
Finally he smiled.
“Maybe Mara should take some time off.”
Emily looked up.
“She’s fine.”
“She nearly died today.”
“So did I.”
“That’s exactly why we need calm.”
“I want her here.”
Daniel’s knife stopped moving.
Only for a fraction of a second.
Then he smiled again.
“Of course.”
Mara poured water into Emily’s glass.
Their eyes met briefly.
Neither woman spoke.
Daniel noticed.
“You two seem close.”
“She saved my life.”
“So you keep reminding me.”
Emily placed her fork down.
“Does that bother you?”
Daniel leaned back.
“Why would it?”
“You tell me.”
His smile faded.
Then he laughed.
“Pregnancy hormones.”
Emily felt rage rise inside her.
Instead of reacting, she smiled.
“You’re probably right.”
Daniel studied her.
That answer confused him.
Good.
For the first time, Emily realized they could use his arrogance against him.
He needed to believe she was frightened.
Confused.
Weak.
So Emily lowered her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
Daniel relaxed.
He reached across the table.
Emily allowed him to touch her hand.
“Everything is going to be fine,” he whispered.
She looked into his eyes.
“Yes.”
Then she smiled.
May you like
“I think everything is finally becoming very clear.”
Daniel’s fingers tightened around hers.
