Come in.

We need to talk.”

Through the narrow glass panel beside the entryway, I watched him read the message.

He looked up at the window, swallowed once, and motioned for Ava to follow him around the cedar wraparound deck.

Heavy shoe soles clicked against the wooden deck boards outside.

The side latch lifted with a sharp metallic snap, and the kitchen door swung inward.

Daniel stepped onto the linoleum first, his coat unbuttoned, his mouth set in a tight line.