Mark adjusted his tie as he stood in the top floor boardroom of his firm.
The important contract meeting was supposed to run until late in the evening.
His phone vibrated against the polished dark wood of the conference table.
He usually ignored calls during private equity negotiations with potential high-net-worth investors.
Something made him glance down at the illuminated glass screen.
It was a direct message from the automated security monitoring service at his residence.
The system had detected unusual noise levels near the main lower hall entry.
Mark excused himself from the room without offering a detailed explanation to his partners.
He hurried down the grand corridor toward the private express elevator.
His mind raced with sudden concern for his seven-year-old boy named Toby.
Toby had stayed home from elementary school that morning due to a mild throat infection.
Mark had left his new wife Evelyn in charge of taking care of the boy.
They had been married for less than six months after a quick courtship.
Evelyn always seemed attentive and kind whenever Mark was present in the room.
Yet Toby had seemed unusually quiet and distant around her in recent weeks.
Mark stepped out of the office garage and got into his sedan quickly.
He drove through the city traffic with a growing feeling of deep unease.
The bright midday sun reflected off the glass skyscrapers surrounding the avenue.
He reached the gated neighborhood in less than twenty minutes.
The security gate opened smoothly as his vehicle approached the stone entrance.
He parked near the front steps of the large custom residence.
The front porch was completely still under the afternoon light.
Mark unlocked the heavy double doors with his master key keycard.
He stepped inside the tall entryway and stopped immediately in his tracks.
The sound of harsh words echoed from the marble foyer straight ahead.
Evelyn: Look at me right now!
Toby: Please, no!
Mark dropped his leather briefcase onto the floor without making a noise.
He took three fast strides toward the arched entryway of the main room.