Rebecca looked concerned.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Margaret’s voice was cold.
“I want my son here.”
PART 5
Nathan arrived the next afternoon.
He wore a navy coat.
His hair was carefully styled.
He carried a box of cookies.
Sophie almost laughed when she saw them.
The same ritual.
The same performance.
Nathan entered Margaret’s room.
“Mom.”
He looked at Rebecca.
Then Sophie.
“What is this?”
Margaret sat beside the window.
“Close the door.”
Nathan frowned.
“I have a meeting in an hour.”
“Close the door.”
Something in Margaret’s voice made him obey.
He set the cookies down.
“What’s going on?”
Margaret held up the photograph of Claire.
Nathan stopped breathing.
It lasted only a second.
But Sophie saw it.
Rebecca saw it too.
Margaret’s voice was quiet.
“Do you know this woman?”
Nathan looked away.
“No.”
“Look again.”
“I said no.”
Margaret placed the photograph on the table.
