Rain tapped against the porch rail. I watched the street while the phone rang.
She answered on the second ring.
“Nathan?”
“Yes.”
Her voice lowered.
“Where are you?”
“At the house.”
“Are Lorraine and Caleb there?”
“Yes.”
There was a short pause.
“I have been trying to reach you.”
“My phone was off during the flight.”
“I know. I left three messages.”
“I saw them.”
She breathed out slowly.
“Did you get there before they started arranging everything?”
“Yes.”
“Then listen to me carefully.”
I gripped the porch rail.
“What happened?”
“Have you seen Hannah’s sealed envelope?”
I looked through the glass toward the hallway.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Caroline, what envelope?”
She was quiet long enough that I heard rain striking the metal gutter.
“Hannah left it with me.”
“Why?”
“She gave me instructions.”
“What kind of instructions?”
“The kind she expected you to follow.”
I rubbed my wedding ring again.
