“No.”

He said gently:

“Read the letter.”

PART 3 — ARTHUR’S LETTER

My dearest Evelyn,

If you are reading this, I am gone.

First, blame me for Hayes’s ridiculous opening line. I made him say it. He argued that it was cruel. He was correct. I thought humor would make the truth easier. Apparently I remained foolish until the end.

I almost laughed.

Instead I cried.