They had underestimated me for the last time.

“Grandma, is this one of the treasures?” Alice held up a crystal paperweight from James’s desk, sunlight fracturing through its facets to cast tiny rainbows across her face.

“It certainly is,” I confirmed, holding open the velvet pouch I’d brought for such items.

“Your grandfather got that when he made partner at his firm.

He’d want it kept safe.”

We moved through the house like a peculiar archaeological expedition—Alice hunting for treasures while I steered her toward items that would be immediately missed.