Page 312 of The Heart You Kept

“Isadora set me up.”

“That would be my guess, sir.”

I feel adrenaline surge through my bloodstream. “Thank you, Philippe.” I hang up and throw the phone hard at the wall.

“That fucking woman,” I growl.

She told me I would pay…. And here I am paying.

I down my glass of scotch as fury heats my blood. “You’re messing with the wrong man, Isadora. Your time will come.”

AN HOUR LATER.

I can’t stand this, I can’t relax until I know she’s okay. She’s probably crying right at this minute over me. I call her again.

Hello, you’ve reached Alora Sorenson. I’m sorry, I can’t take your call right now.

Leave a message and I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Have a nice day.

Ugh…her phone is still switched off. She really doesn’t want to talk to me at all.

I hang up and call Philippe.

“Hey, boss.”

“What’s happening?” I ask.

“All lights are off, she’s asleep.”

“Can you walk around the house and do a perimeter check please?”

“Now?”

“Now. I’ll wait on the phone while you do.”

“Okay.”

I wait on and listen to him walk around the house. “Check every window is locked.”

“Of course.” I hear the side gate open and then his footsteps on the pebbles. “I’m in the backyard now.”

“Anything off?”

“No. The blinds are open downstairs.”

“Why would the blinds be open? She never leaves them open.”

“She’s otherwise occupied, I guess.”

“True.” I think for a moment. “Is everything alright inside?”

“Yeah, I’m looking through the windows right now. Everything is normal. Nothing to see.”

I listen with my heart in my throat. “Nobody is in the backyard?”

“No, boss, of course not. The only way to get in here is to scale up a cliff or over the neighbors’ twelve-foot fence. We’re parked in the driveway and are doing perimeter checks every half hour. I’m telling you, everything is fine. Alora’s asleep and you should try and relax and get some too.”

“Okay.” I think for a moment. “Maybe I should come over and stay in the car with you?”