A giant thunderclap echoed outside, an explosion of noise that made Lily cover her ears. Dimly, from the other end of the house, she heard glass shatter. The doctor had covered his ears as well, but Jonathan merely stood staring out the window, a faint smile on his face. For a few seconds the walls and doors continued to rattle, and then they were still. The Security alarm went off downtown, its distinctive bray loud enough to penetrate even the unconscious brain of the woman on the couch; she rolled and murmured in her sleep