Some paperwork was incomplete; some belonged to a time before digital recordkeeping.

Still, a few details could be checked.

There was a letter from Rose written shortly before her death.

It described fears about Alan’s drinking and asked Violet to stay in Lucy’s life if anything happened to her.

There was also a later note from Denise, identifying an emergency childcare arrangement in Northern California.

The name on the note made Gregory sit straighter.

“Marion Bell,” he said.