He stared at the empty room, confused and alarmed. The bed was unmade, her possessions were scattered on the floor, but there was no sign of Kassie. Turning, Adam headed quickly into the kitchen.
‘Have you seen Kassie this morning?’
Faith shook her head. She was sitting at the kitchen table, hunched over a cup of coffee.
‘I can’t find her anywhere. She’s not answering her cell phone.’
‘She left before I got up,’ Faith said dully.
‘Any idea where she might have gone? Did she say anything to you yesterday?’
Faith shrugged, but didn’t reply. She seemed far more interested in the contents of her cup than her husband.
‘Try her cell again if you’re worried,’ she eventually offered, rising and crossing to the sink.
Adam was tempted to do just that. He’d hoped to talk to Kassie this morning, to discourage her from attempting to contact Madelaine Baines, to persuade her to engage with the police, but the sight of Faith shuffling around the kitchen made him pause. She still hadn’t looked at him yet and seemed more distant than ever this morning.
‘Look, Faith, I’m sorry about yesterday …’
Adam wasn’t sure it was his job to apologize, but he desperately wanted to restore peace between them. Faith had been doing better the last couple of days, but suddenly looked very fragile again.
‘… if you felt I was unfeeling or unwelcoming to Kassie. Her safety obviously comes first, so she can stay here until we find a better alternative.’
But the words seemed to drift over Faith’s head – almost as if she hadn’t heard them.
‘Faith?’
‘Do we have to talk about this now?’
She was still hovering by the sink, leaning on the side as if supporting herself.
‘Are you ok?’
‘Just a little tired.’
‘Look at me, Faith.’
Slowly, reluctantly, she turned to face him. Adam was saddened to see how pale her skin was, how dark the rings were under her eyes.
‘Did you manage to sleep?’
‘Off and on.’
‘Were you up in the night?’
‘I’m finding it hard to switch off.’
‘Are you still taking your meds? It’s really important that –’
‘Yes, Doctor. I’m doing everything you told me to do.’
‘Faith, I’m trying to help you,’ Adam replied, stung by her gentle sarcasm.
‘By interrogating me?’
‘By caring for you.’
‘I’ve said I’m fine,’ she said quickly, making to leave.
‘Stay a minute, talk to me …’
‘And say what? What is there that we could possibly say to each other that would make … this any better?’
She sounded beaten, rather than hostile. Adam suddenly felt overcome with emotion – all the sadness of the last few days rushing up on him. Why had this had to happen to them?
‘There’s nothing I can say to make it better,’ Adam replied, sincerely. ‘Of course there isn’t. But if you’re feeling unhappy, I want to know about it. Because I love you …’
To his surprise, his words seemed to cut straight through her anger and she crumpled slightly, tears pricking her eyes.
‘I know,’ she murmured, toying with the cord of her dressing gown. ‘I know and I’m sorry. I just … don’t like being watched.’
‘No one’s watching you.’
‘Like I’m a weak link, a child.’
‘Come on, love, I’m not saying that.’
Adam took a step towards her, but Faith held up a hand to stop him.
‘Please, Adam. I mean it.’
Adam checked his advance.
‘Go and find Kassie. Go to the office. Do something. Just … give me a bit of space.’
It was the last thing he wanted to do, but her tone brooked no argument. She walked to the doorway, pausing briefly on the threshold to whisper:
‘I love you too.’
Then she was gone.