Chapter 42

“I’m taking you somewhere nice,” Cassandra had promised, her voice bright with that mischievous lilt he knew so well. When he’d questioned her—“What sort of surprise, exactly?”—she’d simply given him a reassuring smile and ushered him out the door. Thomas, who trusted his wife implicitly, had followed without another word, allowing her to lead him out of their home as though on the trail of some grand adventure.

Almost at once, a faint unease pricked at the edge of his mind. Why weren’t they driving? Neither of their cars stood ready in the driveway. Instead, Cassandra gripped his hand firmly and urged him along the quiet street on foot. Her grip was warm and confident, but in that pressure, Thomas sensed a warning bell ringing in the back of his head—something about this plan felt off. Yet, he banished the apprehension. After all, he told himself, I know she would never do anything to hurt me. So he let go of the doubt and walked beside her, the late-morning sun warming their