talked, laughed, complained-completely unaware that the woman they

ked his wat

she?" he

"Hospital vis

rn. Alice always returned.

ined quiet. Dinner wasn't pr

er," Jo

Voicemail. Aga

d indifference. "She's bein

answer. Some

en barely touched his food. He

ight, the house felt wro

slippers were neatly plac

ence was

ened the

thes we

ag wa

was

t into his chest-somethin

ohn arrived looking

k his head.

ed the esta

eft at 2:30," the doctor said coldly

Checked her cards. Ca

ation had turn

ome. Mr. Page

happy," the o

tiffened

isited. She lo

thing twist pain

e home?"

. "Of course. I

s breat

ier than I've se

pp

et. Not

pp

anted to surpri

lt the wo

e study. The

alization set

her leave?"

rowned. "L

n fel

came

did

she disappeared, fear-r

't left by

eft becau