I unhooked the house key from the temporary wire clip and slid it back onto the master ring where it belonged.

I went back to the front door, fitted the brass key into the lock, and turned the deadbolt home with my house key back on its ring.

The brass key slid easily into my coat pocket.

By nine the next morning, the autumn frost had turned the grass along the edge of Blackwood Lake into silver wire.

Sophie stood three steps ahead of me by the water, her hands shoved deep in her coat pockets.

“Look how calm it is today,” she said.