Arthur did not defend himself.
“You’re right.”
His simple agreement stopped her.
He reached inside his jacket and removed a small brass key.
A paper tag hung from it.
“Your father wanted you to have this.”
Lydia did not touch it.
“What does it open?”
“A safe-deposit box in Portland.”
“What is inside?”
“Records your father believed could finally explain what happened.”
Lydia stared at the key.
Then Hazel pointed toward the leather wallet.
“There’s an envelope inside.”
The Letter With Two Messages
Arthur pulled out a sealed envelope.
LYDIA CARVER was written across the front.
She recognized the handwriting instantly.
Her father’s.
Lydia opened it carefully.
The message was short.
Lydia,
If Arthur has reached you, then I have already broken the promise that kept me away.
Your mother never wanted to deceive you.
I asked her to protect you from the truth because I believed silence was safer.
