As we measured flour and cracked eggs, I watched Alice’s look of concentration, so reminiscent of Rebecca at that age.

My granddaughter was the one pure thing in this mess—the one person whose motives I didn’t question.

Later, while the cookies cooled and Alice worked on homework at the kitchen table, I pretended to read.

In reality, I was working out the next phase of my plan.

Luka would handle the legal protections.

The investigator would gather evidence.