She doesn't scream.
Just stands there, shaking, the knife still pressed to her neck.
"Who are you?" she whispers. "What do you want?"
"I want your husband."
"Ted? Why? What did he?—"
"Call him. Tell him to come home. Now. Tell him it's an emergency."
"I don't?—"
I press the knife harder.
Not enough to cut.
Just enough to remind her it's there.
"Call him."
She fumbles for her phone.
Dials with trembling fingers.
I can hear it ringing.
Once.
Twice.
Then his voice.
"Hey, babe. What's up?"
Casual.
Normal.
Like he didn't beat a woman half to death three days ago.
"Ted." Her voice shakes. "You need to come home. Right now."
"What? Why? I'm in the middle of?—"
"Please. It's an emergency. Please just come home."
A pause.
"Susie, what's going on? Are you okay?"
"Just come home. Please."
She's crying now.
Real fear in her voice.
He hears it. "I'm on my way. Twenty minutes."
