“I know you disagree, Steven, I can tell by the look in your eyes,” Blue said. “But you know why he’s been on our radar all these years.”

“And there are reasons why the Corcillium ultimately never reached out to him,” Steven responded. “Enthusiasm is one thing. But he’s a glorified cell phone salesman. Who just happens to have made millions on a nifty hologram idea with a horrible name. But he’s in deep now. Even he doesn’t realize how deep. There’s no turning back for him. For any of us.”

“William, will you help me into my wheelchair? I need to move,” Blue said, reaching up with her hands.

He walked over, seeing the delight in her eyes. Nanna’s mother. My God.

She seemed as light as the pages he’d just flipped through, as fragile as bone china. There was a fierce grip to her, though, as he lifted her from the rattan to the wheelchair.

“You’re so handsome. Even more so than you are in all those pictures in the magazines,” she said, placing her hand on his bearded cheek as she settled into the chair. “You resemble your grandparents so much.”

He heard Steven clear his throat again. “Do you want me to push you, Blue?”

“No. I want my great-grandson to push me,” she said. “Lily, want to come with us out into the yard? Go see the dragonflies at the fountain? Take the ramp right there, William.”

He took the handles of the chair and guided her across the wood floors and down the ramp onto the grass. The wheels bumped a bit on the uneven soil, but Blue didn’t seem to mind, reaching out for Lily. The little girl took her hand.

“Go on, run now. We can talk more in a bit.”

Lily scampered across the grass. She hesitated a bit, seeing the flurry of red-and-green dragonflies hovering above the water.

“They won’t hurt you, honey, I promise,” Blue said.

She walked to the edge of the fountain, climbing to stand on the stone. Slowly, she began to walk the perimeter, making a loop around the water, grinning at the hovering insects.

“Watch your step!” Blue said.

Lily waved slightly.

“Remarkable girl, that one,” she said. “I can’t imagine what she’s been through. But look at her. That’s the wonderful thing about children: Despite whatever’s happened to her … she’s playing. Smiling. She’s just a regular child.”

“There is nothing regular about her,” Steven said, walking beside William.

“No. And she didn’t ask for it. Just like my daughter didn’t ask for it. Or you, my boy.” She reached over her shoulder to pat his hand.

“I’ve got a lot of questions.”

“I know you do. Let’s rest right over there. By the Knock Outs,” she said.