I had spent years learning that scrutiny is only dangerous to people with something to hide, and I had nothing to hide, and my mother had a great deal.

The threat she meant to frighten me with was, if I chose to answer it, an invitation to open every record she least wanted opened.

I let none of that show on my face.

I only tilted my head, as if considering the offer, and let them believe for one more minute that the trap had a mouse in it.

Chapter 4 — My Father’s Warning