Chapter 174

Abby

Liam put the box on Kade’s desk a little before ten, still in its oilskin, and stood back from it as if it were something that might go off.

He had come straight up from the hut. There was snow melting on his boots, and his face had the look it had when he had been awake too long and was holding himself together by the collar. Ryan came in behind him and shut the door, and stood against it. Imogen came last. She didn’t sit. She went to the window and stood with her back to the room and her hand pressed flat against her coat, over the inside pocket, as if something there needed holding in.

Kade unwrapped the box. He laid the papers out on the green leather in the order Liam told him, and read them, one sheet at a time, without a word.

I stood at his shoulder and read them with him.

I had known there would be a list. Liam had told me that much on the phone, the night before, in a careful voice. I had lain awake half the night thinking about it