“You’re very quiet, Claire,” Grace said softly.

“I’m just ready,” I said.

I put the four exhibit folders into a heavy manila envelope, snapped a thick rubber band around the middle, and set it down in the main compartment.

The house was totally still except for the ticking of the grandfather clock in Grace’s hall.

I pulled the leather flap down and pushed the two heavy latches together until they caught.

I held my hands over the cold metal for a moment, feeling the weight of everything inside, and then snapped the brass locks closed on my leather briefcase.