Prologue
“I think I figured it out,” the female voice on the phone whispered. Ann Olsen rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She couldn’t quite place the voice. The glowing numerals on the alarm clock said it was 11:00 p.m.
“Is that you, Jean?”
“I didn’t wake Eric, did I?”
“No,” Ann replied, “he’s back on midnight shift.”
“Ann … I've decided to call the guy to tell him what I’m gonna do.”
“Are you sure that's a good idea?” Ann asked.
“No. I don't know how he'll take it. But, I've got to do it. I've got to get on with my life.”
“Are you going to tell me who he is? You've been keeping this from me for months.”
“Maybe, after it's settled, but not now. You understand, don't you?”
“I know it's a secret,” Ann conceded, “but I'm dying to know all the details.”
“Maybe tomorrow. After I talk to him. Okay?”
“ Okay. Sure. Call me in the morning.”
Jean Oinen dialed another number and waited for four rings before a groggy, male voice answered.
“Hullo?”
“This is Jean. I've made a big decision about something. Can you come over tonight?”
“What?” The man asked in confusion. “A decision about what?”
“Just come over. I can't tell you over the phone.”
“What the hell time is it?”
Jean looked at the clock on her desk. “It's eleven-forty-five.”
“You want me to come over now?”
“Not right now. I'm free at ...” she paused and looked at her Franklin planner, “say, one-thirty.”
“You want me to come over at one-thirty, in the morning, because you've made a decision? C'mon, Jean! What’s so important it can’t wait ‘til tomorrow?”
“Look, I’m just going to drive down and sit in the office until you can see me.”
“Oh, good God!” he growled. “Okay. Okay. I'll be over at one-thirty, but this better be good.”
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