“Are we going to Mom’s house in Golden tonight?”

“No,” Daniel said, his voice flat and thin.

“Your mother is in Colorado Springs for a corporate seminar until Tuesday evening.”

“So where are we supposed to go?” Ava asked.

Daniel didn’t answer.

He picked up the delicate gold anniversary necklace by its thin clasp, let the fine chain pool in his palm for a second, and placed it back down on top of Eleanor’s house deed.

“Ava, go upstairs and gather your school books for tomorrow morning,” I said gently.