My red brick house sat quiet under the dark trees, the porch lamp still off from the morning Dean had stuck the legal notice to the frame.

Sophie hauled my two black suitcases up the wooden porch steps while I reached into my coat pocket.

I took out the brass keys I’d kept in my purse ever since I’d gotten the spare set out of the copper box under the garage flagstone.

The key turned easily in the deadbolt, and the heavy iron lock slid back with a solid, familiar click.

I pushed the front door open and stepped over the threshold into the dark hall.