Helen’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the dark leather.

“What is that?” Helen asked.

“Do you remember the autumn of nineteen ninety-four?” Evelyn asked.

Helen went entirely still, her posture hardening.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Helen said, her voice dropping.

“You and Arthur were very busy that year,” Evelyn said.

“You wanted the Cumberland estate, but I was not ready to sign it over to you.”

Evelyn tapped the leather folder against her palm.

“So you found a clinic,” Evelyn continued.

“A private sanitarium upstate.”

“With a doctor who was willing to sign whatever papers you put in front of him.”

My heart hammered against my ribs as I listened to them.

I looked at my mother’s face, which had gone pale in the white light of the patrol boat’s searchlight.

“That was thirty years ago,” Helen whispered.

“The statute of limitations on forced medical commitment is very specific, Helen,” Evelyn said.

“Especially when the victim is still alive to testify to the forgery.”

Gavin watched them, his own problems suddenly seeming very far away.

“You’re bluffing,” Helen said, though her voice shook slightly.