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Tony.”
    Manda worked quickly in the kitchen, pulling her most-used cookware, utensils, bake ware, recipes, and spices, her favorite apron, mitts, and towels. She carted her first box out to the truck and hurried back. The second box was for the pantry, which held bags of rice and flour, jars of pepper sauce and green chilies, her favorite chicken stock, Lorraine’s crackers and tea from England that Kristof never touched.
    She was halfway across the kitchen with the box when she heard Kristof’s car skidding and spraying up gravel as he swung into the driveway. “Tony!” she screamed. She judged she could not make it through the media room and out the back door ahead of Kristof. “Help me!”
    She set down the box and looked for the nearest weapon. The designer bronze teakettle on the six-burner range was heavy with water. Holding it with two hands, she knew she could fling it at Kristof and do damage. Where was Tony?
    “Caught you!” Kristof shouted with triumph from the front entry. His eyes shone as he crossed the space to the kitchen; she knew he was high on something.
    Manda listened for any sound that would tell her where Tony was. She had to trust he was there for her. She planted her feet and drew in a steadying breath as Kristof entered the kitchen.
    He came within range, and she hurled the heavy kettle at his head. He fended it off with his arm but roared with pain. The blow forced him to pause and test his injured arm. He eyed her with hate. “This time you’re dead!”
    Manda felt her stomach contract. She took one step back and saw Tony emerge from the media room, gun drawn. He planted himself halfway between Manda and Kristof.
    “You’re on video with that threat, professor. I have stills of the living room showing what went on here last night. And the police are on their way back up the lane as we speak. Back off now.”
    “Or what? You’ll shoot me, Pinelli? You’ll lose your job for discharging a weapon in the line of duty.”
    “Not on duty for the college now, Kristof. This young woman’s employer believes she is danger. From you. If you do not cease and desist, I will discharge this weapon where it will do the most good for womankind.”
    The two eyed each other, Tony watching for any movement, Kristof eyeing the gun and the direction it was pointing.
    In the lengthening silence, neither man gave credence to Manda’s quiet statement, “Thanks, Tony, I’ve got this one.” She brushed past Tony, who watched in fascination as Manda slammed her knee into Kristof’s groin. She stepped back, twisted to the right, moved her left elbow into position, and unwound a cracking blow to Kristof’s temple. The professor dropped without a sound.
    Manda grabbed her elbow sucked air through her teeth. “Man, that hurt!” She watched Tony reach toward the body, gun still drawn.
    Tony felt for a pulse at Kristof’s neck.
    “Did I kill him?”
    “No way, but he’ll be out for a good long time.” Tony straightened up and let out a laugh of disbelief. “Wish I had that knee-elbow combo on video. You could inspire next year’s entire freshman class.”
    Manda tried to laugh through her tears. She glanced at the front entry and saw spinning red lights. Two burly men walked through the door. Was she losing her mind?
    “Not to alarm you, honey, but the police just pulled in.”
    Manda felt lightheaded. She tried to listen while Tony explained, “The police are going to have a word with the good professor as soon as he comes to, and you’ll be talking with a policewoman this afternoon about what’s been happening here. She’s absolutely great, and you can say anything to her. We’re all going to walk through this with you, honey.”
    Tony caught Manda as she doubled over, and she felt his arms hold her caringly while she threw up her entire breakfast right beside Kristof’s crumpled body.

Chapter 2
    Joel’s smartphone roused him from a troubled sleep at two in the morning. “What?” he