Chapter 50

As Bruce steps up beside him, Jory flashes his friend a quick grin, then turns his attention to the window beside the closed door. A sheer curtain covers the glass, rosy and well-lit from inside, a beacon of warmth in the dark night. Behind the curtain, Jory can see their friends—Janice Cotts, office manager for the small architecture firm where they work, wearing a black turtleneck and black jeans; Amanda Jenkins, whose cubicle abuts Jory’s, in a simple grey dress accentuating the long, auburn hair flowing over one shoulder; their boss Christian Wilson rocking the intellectual look with a leather vest over a dark sweater, his thick glasses and salted hair a reminder of his age.

For a moment the trio continue chatting in the foyer, glasses of wine in their hands, laughing at something Amanda just said. Jory rings the doorbell again and, for good measure, taps on the window to get their attention.