My sister called me at midnight and whispered, “Turn off every light. Go to the attic. Don’t tell your husband.” I thought she was losing her mind — until I looked through the floorboards….

When I saw my sister’s name, I pushed myself upright.

Mara.

Mara worked for the FBI. She never called this late unless someone had died or something terrible was about to happen.

I answered in a whisper. “Mara?”

Her voice was tense. “Listen carefully. Turn everything off. Your phone, the lights, everything. Go to the attic, lock the door, and don’t tell Caleb.”

A chill ran through me. “What?”

“Now, Elise.”

I glanced at my husband. He lay facing away, breathing slow and steady.