Part One

Chapter 1 — The Knock

The pounding came on a rainy Tuesday evening, a little after seven. I nearly left it unanswered. At fifty-six, I had grown used to peaceful nights inside my small blue house at the end of Maple Street.

Most evenings, the loudest sound was the grandfather clock in my living room reminding me another hour had quietly passed.

The knocking came again. Three sharp taps. Insistent.

I opened the door and found a young woman on my porch, drenched from head to toe. Damp strands of dark hair clung to her cheeks, and every breath came in uneven gasps.

An infant carrier dangled from one shaking hand. The baby girl inside looked no older than six months, resting beneath a soft yellow knitted blanket.

Before I could say anything, the woman blurted, “Please. Just watch her for one hour.” Her voice broke. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

I stared at her. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Then why come to my house?”

Fresh tears welled in her eyes. “Because I don’t have anyone else.”

I stepped out onto the porch. “If something’s wrong, let’s call the police.”

Fear swept across her face. “No.” The reply came so fast it caught me off guard. “No police.”