She left Charles in the kitchen preparing refreshments for the firemen and hurried upstairs. The upstairs hallway was U-shaped. Carrie and Charles had opposite corner rooms, with another guest room between them on the backside of the house. Mrs. Faraday’s suite was down the hallway on the side furthest from the garage. Down the hallway along the driveway side were three rooms. Christopher’s room was his father’s and faced the front of the house. Suzanne’s room was opposite Christopher’s and faced the driveway. Carrie checked the hallway. No one was around. She went swiftly down the hallway to Christopher’s door and knocked. She didn’t have to knock a second time. Christopher opened the door just a crack. “I’ve been expecting you,” he said softly. “Come in.” As Carrie entered the room, Christopher peered into the hallway to see if she had been followed. “Don’t worry,” said Carrie. “I checked to make sure no one was around.” “Just wanted to be sure, especially with you know who across the hall.
