“I want the hospital report.”
Lorraine carried the plate toward the kitchen.
“Caroline has made this harder than it needs to be.”
“Did you ask her for the report?”
“She is not family.”
I followed her as far as the doorway.
“Neither is the bank.”
She set the plate down.
“You sound just like your father when you say things like that.”
“What happened to the original report?”
Her fingers went to the same cuff again.
“It is being handled.”
“By whom?”
She did not answer.
I went back upstairs and took the black button from where I had left it.
The navy fabric came with it.
I folded both into a clean handkerchief from my suitcase and put them in the inside pocket of my coat.
I did not tell Caleb.
At 4:05, I stepped onto the front porch and called Caroline.
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?”
