Rufus Hansen stepped out of the marsh at last and reclaimed his own name, and Gus drove his father to the ocean the first free morning, just to let him stand on a public beach in daylight without looking over his shoulder.

Chapter 17 — The Light of the Truth

On a gold autumn morning our bags were in the car and we were leaving Millhaven for the plain quiet of Baltimore.

We made one last stop.

Denton sat in a wheelchair under a weeping willow in the garden, a blanket over his legs.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me, Jennifer,” he rasped, unable to lift his eyes.

“You’re right,” I said, gently.