These idle speculations served to pass the time while she waited. By now she had been standing there for what seemed half an hour. Then she heard the front door open followed by the sounds of conversation. It sounded like two voices, one male and one female. The man wasn’t Roth, she’d recognize his voice even at this distance. It must be Mr. Edwards. Then Roth too was late. Gale began to get very nervous. She realized that anyone who passed by the open basement door could see her. She heard footsteps, another door opening and closing, then a toilet flushing. The sounds must have come from the Roths’ bathroom next to the master bedroom. More footsteps, more talking, louder this time. She heard Valerie wishing him good night and a safe drive. Then she heard the front door slamming shut.
At
