“Where are those documents, Ruth?” Daniel asked, his voice barely a whisper.

“They are locked in Evelyn’s old writing desk in the master bedroom,” Ruth said.

“In the secret compartment behind the drawer.”

“I have the key in my purse.”

Daniel turned toward the door, his eyes blazing with a sudden, sharp focus.

“I am going to the estate,” Daniel said.

“No,” Ruth said, stopping him with a hand on his arm.

“The lawyers are watching the house, Daniel.”

“If you go there now, they will see you.”

“They might try to serve you with an emergency injunction to keep you away from the children tonight.”

“Let me go,” Ruth said.

“They won’t think twice about an old woman going back to get some clothes for Claire.”

“I can slip the documents out in my shopping bag.”

Daniel looked at Ruth, then back at me.

“Are you sure about this, Ruth?” Daniel asked.

“I have guarded this family’s secrets for twelve years, Mr. Whitmore,” Ruth said.

“I am not going to stop now.”

She pulled her hood over her head and picked up her wet umbrella.