The door swung open, and a young woman in a green coat stepped into the hallway, holding a bakery box. She froze when she saw Tessa at our table. “You,” she said slowly. Dad dropped the grill tongs. “Mara, what are you doing here?” Mom folded her napkin and answered for her. “I invited her, dear. Sit down, Mara. Tessa has been very curious about you.”

Tessa gripped the edge of the table. “You two know each other?” she whispered. Mom smiled calmly and slid a thin folder from beneath her plate. “Mara is my niece,” she said. “She has been staying with your father and me on weekends for a month, because she is planning something, and I needed to be sure who could keep a secret.” Dad’s face went red, then pale.