“Mom,” Luke said softly, “you’ll go in through the private service elevator. Mr. Davis will be waiting for you upstairs.”

“And what about you?” I asked anxiously.

He adjusted the burgundy silk tie I’d given him for his last birthday. “I’m going in through the main front door.”

“Are you going in completely alone?” I asked.

Luke smiled without any real joy. “No, Mother. I’m going in with the absolute truth.”

Before he closed the car door, he took my hand tightly. “I’ve played this chess game for two long years, and tonight is finally checkmate.”