The Couple Next Door

After Rasbach confirms that the Contis’ babysitter canceled (her grandmother died suddenly), Rasbach considers which of the parents is more likely involved. Although Anne is the obvious choice—drunk, she flew into a rage and killed the child, most likely accidentally—the disabled backyard lights and a car a neighbor saw waiting with its headlights off behind the Conti house bother Rasbach. This evidence points to something premediated. Rasbach resolves to look into the Contis more closely.

Marco suggests using the media to negotiate with the kidnappers. It has been nearly two days and they have heard nothing. Marco suggests offering the kidnappers $3 million for Cora’s return. Without hesitation, Richard agrees to put up the money—“whatever you need” (67)—and Marco makes the announcement.

Rasbach questions Graham and Cynthia. He finds Cynthia disarmingly attractive with the “kind of figure that can stop traffic” (74). Cynthia makes it clear she finds Anne and motherhood annoying. She tells Rasbach that the night of the party, she and Marco went out to the deck to smoke and that Marco drunkenly “began stroking my legs” (80). When Rasbach asks Marco later, Marco claims Cynthia came on to him and vehemently denies any affair, contesting that “She took my hand and placed it inside her skirt” (95).