“What is it, Marino? Are you afraid there might be surveillance devices in the house? Is that what the problem is?” I ask because there could be for all I know. “I’m going to have to talk to Page and make sure she’s not let someone in, perhaps someone masquerading as a service person.”

It’s the sort of thing Carrie would do, I explain as the rain coolly taps the top of my covered head. But Marino’s hardly listening, and I’m beginning to sense bigger trouble.

“I’m not taking any damn chances, Doc.”

“Why are you here? What is it?”

“I don’t know how to tell you this,” he says, and I feel instantly sick.

“Are Benton and Lucy all right?” I can barely speak as I think of them flying and driving in this weather.

“Huh? I don’t know. I guess.” Marino’s eyes are wild, and he couldn’t be more distracted.

“What’s the matter with you?” I raise my voice above water spattering pavers and the sound of the wind-rocked canopies of old trees.

Beaten-down flower petals litter the back lawn like tatters of pastel tissue paper, and puddles sizzle as rain splashes the grass and mulch.

“That blue paisley bandanna Desi had on?” Marino says loudly, water streaming down from the peak of his hood. “The DNA’s a problem. It’s worse than a problem.”

Carrie came to my door like anybody else would, standing there smiling, I can only imagine, and Dorothy led her through the house. Then Carrie and the drone appeared in the backyard at precisely the same time, robbing Janet of any opportunity to defend herself or anyone. I realize this probably is why Marino is insisting we talk outside in the middle of a rainstorm.

Carrie Grethen has been inside my house. It’s possible she may have planted a device or two as she walked through. Dorothy would have been none the wiser. Apparently she didn’t begin to think anything was off until Carrie gave Desi the blue paisley-printed neckerchief, ordering him to put it on and stand by her side as she operated the flight control before turning it over to him so he could destroy his own adopted family.

“Did anyone from the DNA lab call you?” Marino is asking, and I bolster myself for the rest of his bad news.

“Not yet.”

“Well I just found out. And maybe they don’t want to bother you right now after being in the hospital. But you need to know the truth, and that’s why I’m here standing outside in the damn rain with you,” as distant thunder cracks.

“Who found out what?” Water is splashing over my bedroom slippers, and the hem of my pajamas and robe is already soaked.