Morning had given way to an overcast afternoon.
The lake house, once a refuge from the chaos of Manhattan, was beginning to feel more like a prison. The walls hadn't changed, but the silence inside them had.
Everyone was thinking the same thing.
How long could they stay hidden?
Roman stood alone on the rear deck, staring at the dozens of missed calls lighting up his phone.
Twenty-three.
Most were from his office.
Several from the managing partners.
One from an unknown number.
The rest...
From Evelyn Brooks.
He sighed before pressing the call button.
She answered before the first ring finished.
"Roman Ellis."
Her voice was sharp enough to cut glass.
"I was beginning to consider filing a missing persons report."
Roman smiled faintly.
"I didn't realize you'd miss me that much
