“Bring everyone into the main library immediately,” Walter commanded without wasting a single breath on pleasantries.

He glanced down at Rachel and Sadie, who had just stepped out of the second car.

“And see to it that Mrs.

Higgins fixes that little girl a warm cup of cocoa and some fresh sandwiches in the parlor.”

Sadie looked up at her mother with wide, hesitant eyes.

“Mommy, are we in big trouble with these people?”

“No, sweetheart, not at all,” Rachel whispered gently as she knelt to fix the girl’s scarf.

“We are just going to have a grown-up conversation in the other room.”