Of course, if Bryce ever explained his side of the divorce to Mom and Dad, it was possible our father would fire her. Then she would be left with nothing.

Except the flash drive.

Since everybody who invested in Gracey Group properties had a substantial income, the photos were as good as gold bullion. Some, if not all, of the men in the photos would probably give Wendy whatever she asked.

My sister, the capitalist. If this scheme hadn’t been so sleazy and despicable, my father would’ve been proud.

Since I hadn’t eaten, I grabbed crackers and cheese from the refrigerator and went out to the screened porch to stare into the woods beyond.

Was I surprised when the burner, my constant companion, began to buzz? Wendy and I had once been linked by an umbilical cord. No matter how I regarded our relationship, we would always be connected. I could almost hear her thoughts. The holidays were over, and she didn’t have to pretend she’d been depressed and lonely without all the people she loved so well.

I put the phone to my ear. “Wendy...” I waited.

“Are you alone? Can you talk?”

“Yes to both. I’m on the screened porch. Where are you?”

As expected, she ignored the question. “It was horrible missing the holidays.”

“I’ll bet.” I waited.

“The girls... They’re okay? Did Bryce come home? Did you tell him about me?”

“The girls had a good holiday. Bryce didn’t come home. And so far I haven’t told him anything. But I’m at the end of my lies, and the next time I talk to him, I’m going to be honest.” I paused just a second so she wouldn’t begin speaking again. “Honest like he was honest with me when he told me you two are getting a divorce. Only you aren’t holding up your end of that bargain, are you?”

She sniffed. Her voice was teary. “I should have told you myself.”

“You think?”

“You have no idea...” More sniffs. “I’m raising those beautiful little girls alone, Ryan. He’s never there. I’m supposed to do it all. Work, be Mom, be the perfect submarine commander’s wife. I just couldn’t do it anymore. I thought if I asked for a divorce, maybe he’d come to his senses.”

Although he hadn’t exactly said so, I wondered if Bryce had been the one asking for the divorce. “It’s going to be pretty hard to get a divorce if you’re hiding from the police. Maybe you should come home and straighten this out.”

“You sound so distant.”

“I may be. As far as I know, you could be in Australia hanging out on a cattle station.”

“I mean emotionally.”

“I’m sorry. What would you like me to say...Mom?”

She gasped. I had to give her credit. This time she actually did sound surprised, but how could I tell if Wendy was acting from genuine feelings or faking them? I wasn’t even sure she had feelings.

“So...you know?” she asked in a small, sad voice.