At eight o'clock that evening, the doorbell rang.
Sophie was sitting in the living room and didn't move. Con had just taken the children downstairs for a walk and wouldn't be back so soon. Sandy had her own key.
Delivery people would never come at this hour.
A trace of nervousness rose in Sophie's heart. Could it be the people monitoring them?
The doorbell rang again — two quick rings this time, clearly urgent.
Sophie stood up, walked to the door, and looked through the peephole.
The corridor light was on, illuminating a figure in a dark gray coat with messy hair. It was Ned.
"Sophie." His slightly hoarse voice came through the door. "I know you're inside."
She didn't speak. Her hand, which had been on the doorknob, dropped back to her side.
"I just finished a video conference with Yamamoto Joichi," his voice sounded exhausted. "He gave me three days to consider. If I don't agree to his conditions, he said he will make everything public."
