“I saw the red lights over at your father’s place yesterday afternoon.”

“Toby is in surgery right now,” I said.

Mrs.

Higgins glanced toward my father’s house, where his black sedan sat under the portico.

“Your father walked over to my porch at nine this morning,” Mrs.

Higgins said.

“He asked if my property line survey was up to date.”

“Why did Charles care about your property line?” I asked.