Priscilla came back toward the porch, eyes brimming with furious tears.

“You always have to be the grand, important hero of the family, don’t you, Charlotte?” The sheer absurdity of it nearly knocked the breath out of me.

For twelve years I had done everything in my power to avoid drawing attention to myself or my work.

I had missed birthdays and holidays and milestones without ever offering an explanation, to protect my assignments.

Tristan and I had sat through countless family dinners in silence while everyone made patronizing little comments about our boring government jobs.