I turned to Cheri, who was following me like a shadow. “Your power must have been off. You could have a fridge full of ruined food.” “Whatever is causing that smell is disgusting. Phew.” I looked around Cheri and Jimmy’s house. It was an older bungalow on a two-acre lot in Manotick, a village a half-hour outside the city. Oak floors and cream-coloured walls made for a warm front hall. Cheri had always liked the finer things in life. I spotted expensive-looking paintings and leather furniture on our way to the kitchen. Cheri crossed to the fridge and opened the door. She turned to look at me. Her face made it clear she was puzzled. “That’s odd. The food in the fridge is fine.” She checked the garbage under the sink. “Nothing here either.” A shiver travelled up my spine, even though it was warm in the kitchen. Maybe it wasn’t rotting food that we were smelling. “I could use some tea,” I said. I sent her a shaky smile. “Why don’t you make a pot while I go to the washroom?”
