He took out a small key.

“There is a safe in the nursery,” he said.

“Behind the painting of the harbor.”

“I want you to put the copy in there.”

“If Daniel comes search this room, he won’t find it.”

I took the key from his hand.

Our fingers brushed, and his skin was cold as ice.

“Go,” he said. “Before he gets here.”

I turned and walked toward the door.

Just as my hand touched the brass handle, the front door bell rang downstairs.

The sound echoed through the empty hallway.

It was too early for Daniel to have driven from the city.

I looked back at Ethan.

His eyes widened.

“Who is that?” he whispered.

I opened the study door a crack.

Through the gap, I could see the security monitor on the wall of the corridor.

A dark car was parked in the driveway, its headlights cutting through the rain.

A man in a wet trench coat was standing on the porch, looking directly into the security camera.

It was not Daniel.

It was Dr. Vance.

“Go to the nursery,” Ethan whispered, his hand touching my shoulder.