“Hello ladies,” he said pleasantly. If he had overheard their conversation, he made no indication. “Hi Jay,” came Karen’s greeting. “We were just taking a bath- and having tea.” That made Jay look at them a little quizzically but then he nodded and carried on up the stairs. Karen walked Cheryl to her car where she kissed her and left after Cheryl said, “I’ll call you about the party.” From there she went to the kitchen, only to remember they’d left the tray upstairs. “Don’t worry about it dear,” Mrs Brown reassured her. Jay could smell the light, yet heady combination of Karen’s soap and perfume from the door. He noticed several things in the following moment. The curtains were closed; Karen’s t-shirt was discarded on the chair, a scrap of lace was nearby, the tea cup and tray on th
