Page 103 of Where Quiet Hearts Scream
Andreas answers after one ring.
“Babe, you okay?”
It’s unusual that I have reason to call him so his concern is understandable.
“No. There are men surrounding the house, Andreas. Twelve of them. They’re armed.”
“Fuck.”
I hear him mutter something urgently and figure it must be to Benito.
“Are the doors and windows locked?”
“Yes.”
“Has anyone tried the door?”
“No but an envelope was delivered. I opened the door to find it on the stoop, so they know I’m home.”
“Jesus. What was in the envelope?”
I swallow and my voice trembles. “Photographs.”
His tone turns dark. “Of who?”
“You. And… Secretary Olsson.”
He doesn’t seem too alarmed by this, which, strangely, reassures me. “What kind of photos?”
I close my eyes and hope so hard that this is all a complete fabrication. “You’re kissing.”
“We’re what?”
“You’re kissing… at the Cosmos Club.”
“Fuck!” I hear something slam, then Benito shouts something in the background.
“They’re not real,” he rushes out, his voice thin with vitriol. “They can’t be real, Sera, because I did not kiss that woman. I threatened her.”
“I believe you,” I whisper.
“Get the fuck off me Benny…”
“What’s going on?” I ask.
There’s a rustle, then Benito speaks down the phone. I ask again what’s going on.
“He’s just broken his fucking hand punching a wall. What didyou just say to him?”
“There are men surrounding the house. They’ve sent me forged photographs with a note that says my husband won’t step foot in our house again alive.”
“Mother FUCK.”
My husband grabs the phone. “I’m coming home.”
“No!” I plead. “They’ll kill you Andreas—you can’t come home, not while they’re here. Can you send someone else? Someone they might spare?”
“Sera, I am not leaving you in that house alone with those fucking parasites. I’m coming to get you.”
