I heard the commotion first then freshened up and rushed outside. Servants moving and Sam. He looked so worried like he had killed something.

The second car arrived in the late afternoon without warning.

I was standing near the open living room windows when the black vehicle stopped at the end of the path. Sam went still. Ben, who had been reading something on his phone, lifted his head. Two figures stepped out into the island light: Mr. and Mrs. Alexandrescu, composed and precise, as if the honeymoon villa were simply another property they had decided to inspect.

Sam moved first. He smoothed his shirt and went to meet them....