“They use the car for crime,” Paul said. “They see an old guy, they think easy target. Knowing Dad, he probably resisted.” To Decker, he said, “My father was tough. He wouldn’t give up without a fight, I could tell you that much.”

Bram came back in.

“Emergency?” Michael asked.

“No, somebody from my church just using my emergency line. I have a feeling I’m going to get a lot of that tonight. Where’s Eva?”

Paul pointed up.

Bram sighed, looked at Decker. “Can I go make peace with my sister? We are all kind of fragile right now.”

Decker nodded. Bram left the room. Luke said, “Eva’s marriage is…” He splayed his hand and rocked his wrist back and forth.

“It’s not any of his business,” Michael said.

“But it does explain her behavior,” Luke said.

Bram came down a moment later, hugging Eva who was sobbing in his arms. The priest said, “Maggie, can you take Eva into the kitchen and make her a cup of tea?”

Maggie swooped her sister into her arms. As they headed for the kitchen, Maggie began to cry.

Luke said, “I think the reality of what happened is finally dawning on us.”

Bram closed and opened his eyes. “Who’s staying with Mom?”

“Nobody has to stay,” Michael said. “I can take care of Mom.”

“You’re going home, Paul?” Luke asked.

“No, I don’t want to go home tonight. I just can’t face…” Paul stopped talking, sighed. “Maybe I’ll take a drive.”

“Be careful, bro,” Bram said.

“Yeah.”

“I mean that.”

“I know you do, Golden Boy.”

A moment passed. Then Paul and Bram embraced.

“Get some sleep,” Bram told his brother.

“A nice thought, but not likely.” Paul left, gently closing the front door behind him.

To Luke, Bram said, “What about you?”

“Think I’ll stick around.” Luke averted his eyes. “Can you do me a favor, Golden Boy?”

“What?”

“Call Dana for me.”

“Lucas—”

“Abram, I can’t deal…” Water seeped from Luke’s eyes. He squeezed them shut, tears rolling down his cheeks. He made a quick swipe at them, then headed for the kitchen.

“Everybody’s falling apart!” Michael threw up his hands and paced. “Of course, everyone’s falling apart. What did I expect!”

Bram said, “Why don’t you go into the kitchen, Mike? Go drink some tea.”

Michael opened his mouth to speak, but instead just shook his head and left the room.

Decker placed his hand on the priest’s shoulder. “Ready?”

Bram nodded. On the way out, he said, “Thank you for helping me through that terrible ordeal earlier in the evening.”

“Are you all right?”

Bram shook his head. “I don’t know. I had to see him…to make sure. But heavens, it was…painful…”