Ashleigh leads me to my father’s corner office. I know that he would have come out to greet me himself unless he was otherwise occupied, so I’m not surprised to see him on the phone when I enter. He raises a single finger, telling me that he’ll only be a moment more. If I had a nickel for every time he’s made that gesture to me in my life, I’d be sitting on a mountain of nickels.

As he speaks, I scan his work space. Nothing, but nothing, makes me feel more like a child than being in my father’s office. Although the room is furnished with antiques and fine art, he still displays on his bookshelf the carousel full of crayons that Charlotte and I used whenever we visited as children.

He brings his call to a swift conclusion and takes a moment to beam at me before saying anything. He’s done more of that since Charlotte’s death, as if he’s thankful for our every encounter. For nearly all my life, I felt the pressure that comes with being the firstborn. More than anything else, perhaps, it has shaped my destiny—for better and for worse. Yet now I realize that the role of “only child” is even more laden with potential for parental disappointment.

“This is truly an unexpected pleasure. I only wish I had some advance notice. I would have jettisoned my lunch plans for you in a heartbeat, but at this point, it’s something noncancelable, I’m afraid.”

“This shouldn’t take long, but I need some advice. I’ve been offered a job.”

“That’s great, Ella. With anyone I know?”

“In fact, yes. Drake McKenney. He wants me to prosecute Dana Goodwin for Lauren Wright’s murder.”

My father is like me in that we’re both careful when we speak. An occupational hazard for lawyers, he’s always said. A misstated word can mean that someone goes to prison. The stakes here aren’t quite so high at this moment, but by his silence, my father recognizes the measure of import I’ll attach to his next utterance.

“Congratulations. It is quite an honor that Drake would assign to you what I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to say is the most important case he’s had as DA. From what I read in the papers, this will not be the easiest case to win. Without putting too much pressure on you, I’ll say that McKenney’s got to win it if he wants to be mayor someday. He probably has to win just to continue being DA after next November.”

“I haven’t accepted yet,” I say. “That’s why I’m here. I’m . . . not sure what to do.”