"My, my, got rather distraught, didn't we, dear?" His face slops into a smirk. "To put it mildly."

When he leaps up, I twist on my feet and head for the hall, and his hand is a claw, tearing at my sweater. I can't shout out, don't have time, must run, must get away. I scrabble on all fours up the stairs, and my heart hammers until I reach Charlie's door. And there I stop, and wait.

"Come any closer and I'll scream blue murder."

"Yes, you're very good at that."

I fold my arms and narrow my eyes. Stay where you are, you bastard.

"I took notes, Kate. Detailed notes." He looks at Charlie's door and lowers his voice. "I listened to every word. What a simple creature you are, using a phone that has three extensions."

There was a click and then Moira's voice was clearer, louder.

And that's when I realized Biddy had been listening to the whole conversation on the other line.

He takes a step forward, and I flinch.

He sneers. "Don't worry, I'm not stupid. I won't touch you. There's no way I'll get thrown out of this house—every brick of it belongs to me." His eyes flick over my body. "I can't imagine how you found someone else, but the fact you committed adultery will weigh against you nicely."

"You're a bloody buffoon, Rodney. Go boil your head."

"Instead, I think I'll send a fax or two to Todd Grimley." He pulls his pocket watch from his waistcoat.

Time: Rodney is obsessed with every hour and minute of it.

"I'll send them now. Then he'll have the whole weekend to peruse. Goodnight, my dear."