I looked down the hallway toward the closed door of the home office.

The picture of the empty spot on the floating wooden shelf flashed in my mind.

I didn’t know how those heavy metal spheres could be candy, but I knew Patricia had been in that room yesterday afternoon.

I remembered exactly what Daniel had said before he picked up his suitcase and left for the airport.

“We’re going to the doctor right now,” I said.

I scooped her up from the floor in both arms.