Chapter 19

Looking at the remains of my home was an anticlimax. Standing there with Jay holding my arm, his shoulder and hip brushing mine, gave me that steady stream of confidence and peace of mind I had glimpsed earlier. There was nothing left for me—for anyone, here—nothing at all but the solution to a mystery. Though the third body had not yet been identified, that was not my problem. I felt so sorry for all of them and the loved ones they had left behind. The sorrow I felt was somehow lessened. At least now I knew she had not left us willingly, and selfishly, that felt wonderful, like the sun had just come out after a long, cold winter.

I turned around when an older man and woman walked up next to me. The woman just stood there and stared at the house. She had a tissue to her face and was crying silently. The man looked at it briefly, and then at me. “Nicholas? Nick?” he asked cautiously.