PART 1 — 3:17 A.M.

At 3:17 in the morning, my phone rang on the nightstand.

I answered because almost nobody calls at 3:17 unless something is wrong.

“Am I speaking with Evelyn Vance?”

“Yes.”

“This is Officer Ramirez with the State Police.”

I sat up.

Beside me, my husband slept beneath the dark blue comforter.

Julian had one leg draped over mine.

His breathing was deep and even.

He always slept like that after drinking red wine.

Officer Ramirez continued.

“There has been a fatal vehicle collision on I-90.”

My heart began beating faster.

“A sport-utility vehicle registered to your husband was involved.”

I looked down at Julian.

He shifted slightly.

The officer said:

“We need you to come to the county medical examiner’s office to identify the deceased.”