She had been holding the truth alone, in a house that no longer felt safe, knowing something terrible was coming and unable to stop it.

To hear me finally read that truth aloud, to know at last that she was not crazy and not alone and not going to be disbelieved, must have been an enormous relief.

It should never have taken so long.

She should never have had to carry it by herself at all.

Vanessa rounded on me with a flash of the old fire.

“So you had people investigate me?