Emily gazed out the kitchen window at the green yard.

“On my wedding day she told me keeping up appearances was the only thing that protected a family.”

“She was wrong about all of it,” Richard said.

At nine thirty, the crunch of heavy gravel outside announced a car coming up.

Richard stepped to the side of the window screen and watched a plain gray sedan pull up next to the porch steps.

Michael climbed out from behind the wheel in a dark rain jacket, with a square leather briefcase tucked under his arm.