She hadn’t yet managed to fall back asleep yet when she heard the door open downstairs. Brandt was back.
Lori rolled over towards Jack, careful to keep her eyes mostly shut so that if he were awake, he’d think she was still asleep. There was no need for the ruse, though—he was still out cold. The bedroom was a few shades lighter than it had been, and she could just barely make out the time on the clock beyond Jack’s slumbering shoulder. As she watched, the number flipped; it was now 5:01.
Damn, Brandt’s never up this early, she thought, biting back a grin. This was some kind of record for him. Her text must have worked.
Soft footsteps hurried up the stairs, muffled as if he was trying to keep it down. They paused outside the partially shut bedroom door, and Lori held her breath, waiting
