Warm light glowed behind the curtains on the second floor.
I remained in the car.
Marcus opened his door.
“Are you coming?”
“I don’t know.”
He studied me. “You crossed three states.”
“That doesn’t mean I know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say everything tonight.”
“What do I say when she opens the door?”
“The truth.”
I gave him a tired look. “You make it sound simple.”
“It isn’t. But lying would make it worse.”
I stepped out into the cold.
The front gate creaked beneath my hand. I walked up the stone steps slowly, each one making my chest tighter. At the door, I stared at a brass plaque engraved with three names.
Evelyn Hart.
Julian Hart.
Lily and Samuel Hart.
Four names.
There was no room for Adrian Moretti.
I raised my hand and knocked.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then footsteps approached.
