As promised the police sergeant had let him go early in the morning, so that he would have time to get ready for work. And Bill hoped, early enough to avoid Lottie. He'd show up at work early just to get out of the house before she woke up. He could explain himself tonight.

Or so Bill thought. He opened the front door as quietly as he could, and turned around once he was inside, so that, with drawn up shoulders and lips pressed together, he could close the door very carefully... very quietly...