Part 3

The doorbell rang at 8:04 a.m.

Daniel moved first, but I stepped directly in front of him.

“Claire,” he warned.

The bell rang again.

Then came a hard knock.

“Police. Open the door.”

Margaret’s face drained white before turning red with rage. “You little liar.”

I opened the door.

Two detectives stood outside with Maya behind them, rain shining across her coat. She didn’t hug me. She didn’t soften her expression. She looked past me at Daniel and Margaret the way prosecutors look at suspects.

“Daniel Reeves,” one detective announced, “we have a warrant to search these premises.”

Margaret scoffed loudly. “This is ridiculous. My daughter-in-law is mentally unstable.”

Maya stepped inside. “Mrs. Reeves, I strongly suggest you stop talking.”

Daniel grabbed my wrist tightly. “Tell them this is grief. Tell them you’re confused.”

I looked down at his fingers pressing into my skin.

“No.”

One word.

Sharp as a blade.