PART 2

At exactly 8:27 the next morning, the doorbell rang.

I was already dressed.

My suitcase stood beside me in the hallway, zipped and upright, the same faded navy suitcase Arthur and I had taken to Santa Fe for our thirtieth anniversary.

Colin came downstairs first.

His hair was still damp from the shower, and he was carrying his coffee in the oversized mug Jessica had given him for Father’s Day.

He noticed my suitcase.

“What’s that?”

“I’m going out.”

“With luggage?”

Before I could answer, the doorbell rang again.

Jessica appeared at the top of the stairs wearing a silk robe.

“Who comes to someone’s house before nine?”

Colin opened the door.

And then he stopped moving.

Richard Sterling stood on the porch in a charcoal suit, holding a slim leather portfolio beneath one arm.

Beside him was a woman I had met twice before, Claire Bennett, a real estate attorney from his firm.

A third man stood near the walkway with a tablet in his hand.

Colin frowned.

“Can I help you?”

Richard looked past him.

“Good morning, Margaret.”

Jessica came down three steps.

“You know these people?”

“I do.”

I picked up my purse.

Colin’s expression changed.