Snippet #1628767

It was nearly eleven thirty before Lenore left the house. Getting the kids to bed was easy. She just let them tire themselves out before bedtime and knew they'd sleep for the rest of the night. It was Robert who worried her. In an effort to make sure he wouldn't wake up while she sneaked out of the house, she put sleeping pills in his glass of scotch. If he found it strange that she'd have a drink ready for him when he got home, he said nothing of it. Instead, he grumbled, drank and went into his study. Now, when she had to leave, she pressed her ear to the door and listened to him snoring.

"Please, sleep all night," she whispered. "I'm only doing this once."

She tied a handkerchief around her head and put on her coat before slipping out of the house. Softly, she made her way to the park, each step sounded loud in her ears. How could no one hear her? Every footstep was an alarm, every noise of nature an accusation. The only thing that prodded her onward was the memory of seeing the words "KGB" on that paper. If she could find a way to save her husband, she would.

She made it to the bench at five minutes to midnight. It really didn't surprise her that someone was already waiting. Kyle Phillips hadn't sounded like a man who arrived late for anything. Cautiously, she sat next to him. Smoothing out her coat, she said, "Lovely night, isn't it." She glanced over at the man, unable to make out much of his features despite the lamp. All she could get was that he was her age, maybe a bit older, with blond hair. He exuded an air of danger. Then again, she imagined most CIA did.

"You said you needed to talk to me," Lenore said softly. "I'm listening."