Although Madeleine did not check her phone, she knew with almost certainty that the message must have come from Anita Madris; otherwise, why would Howard be so restless and agitated?
Throughout, Madeleine chose not to speak up and disturb Howard; in the bedroom, veiled in the dim glow of the sleep lamp, silence reigned absolute.
Yet, Madeleine could clearly sense the man lying next to her tossing and turning occasionally or letting out sighs, as if tormented by some vexing issue.
The classical clock on the wall ticked away with a distinct "tick-tock" sound, which, in the quiet of the night, seemed particularly pronounced.
When the second hand had ticked an indeterminate number of times, Howard's phone suddenly rang.
This time it was not the alert for a text message, but a call ringing out. In the previously tranquil bedroom, it was starkly jarring, so much so that Madeleine shuddered uncontrollably without any reason.
