<div style="text-align: justify;">“Thank you, Carl”, the woman blurted out, intensely relieved. She had no idea if her meager savings would be enough to pay for the man’s services. But she would find some way. Money was extremely tight, but she couldn’t live like that, in fear. A little voice in Jessica’s mind wondered what her husband would say. Nothing good, probably, but it was already decided. She would use her own money and still try to make ends meet. Things would work out. They had to.<br/><br/>A bit distracted, the woman watched as Carl prepared to leave his office. Looked like he was finally going downstairs to the bakery. Feeling tears burn in her eyes, Jessica tried not to think of Mike, or hope he was up and okay now. She knew he wasn’t, though. Something deep inside her heart told Jessica her friend was dead. <br/><br/>Another hint of a hysterical laughter threatened to escape Jessica’s lips when Carl said he had to make sure she was okay. Gripping her knees hard, she regained enough control to nod. It was as much as she could bring herself to do at the moment. Yes, the cops… and calling her husband. All of that made some sense.<br/><br/>Watching the man, she remained silent. When he said he would lock the door, her gaze shot all around her. Somehow, the woman seemed to expect a killer to jump out of thin air. As nothing happened, she nodded one more time. “I think I will…”, she finally managed to speak. Standing up with an effort, the woman made her way to the phone. “Is it seven yet? N-no, right? I mean… so I know if my husband is home…”, she explained, staring at the phone as though it was extremely interesting.</div>