“She lives in an assisted-living facility near the lake,” Nicole said.

“She refused to come. But she recorded something.”

Before Nicole could play it, the funeral director appeared and said the service was about to begin. Nicole looked at me. “Do you want me to leave?”

I read Mom’s note again. It didn’t say Nicole was dangerous. It said to ask her about Lake Maren before she stood beside the coffin again. I told the director we needed ten minutes alone.

Chapter 11 — June’s Recording

In the family room, Nicole pressed play. June’s voice came through softly. She had become pregnant at nineteen; her parents cared more about what the neighbors would say than about her fear; the father left.

Dorothy was the only person who helped June survive the pregnancy and everything after.