“Ethan, she only wanted her special day to be perfect,” Patricia said.

She tried a little laugh that sounded like dry leaves scraping across concrete.

“We can get past this, c’est la vie, we’re all family now.”

“We’re nothing of the kind,” I said.

I stood perfectly still on the wet grass.

“I’ve talked to David at the law firm,” I said.

Patricia went rigid, her hand still on Vanessa’s shoulder.

“I know all about your empty bank accounts,” I said.