Lynn often tried to explain it to Tom, but struggled with the words. How does one describe that throughout your entire life, a shadow existed within you, on the periphery of your vision, on the verge of everything; something as familiar as blinking and breathing? And then, with her grandson returned, it was gone.

In the many years that followed, she’d forgotten it. After all, there was a new life to build. Trust to rebuild. Protection to give. Wounds to heal. Work to continue.

But now she knew it had never left her. It had been asleep and suddenly woke.

One person might understand, but she wasn’t about to call the man who began her descent down this frightening path. She hadn’t talked to Dr. Steven Richards in more than a decade. She had to close that door firmly, to salvage her marriage.

She’d convinced herself that fear and secrets no longer ruled her life. It was no wonder that the shadow she’d never even realized hung on her like a heavy coat was gone as well.

It now returned with a wicked oppression. The chains on all of them had returned—

“Lynn!”

At the sound of Roxy’s voice, she rushed back through the screen door to see her emerge from the study, pointing. “Come right now.”

Lynn practically ran inside and down the hall, seeing billowing smoke smearing across the Memphis skyline on the TV screen.

“What’s happening?”

“They just broke in with this. They say William is in Memphis. They say he was in some motel room and some witnesses said they saw police rush him out. There’s been some kind of explosion…”

“Explosion?” Lynn walked up to stand directly in front of the screen. “But you heard he’s got out?”

“That’s just what these people said. They live in an apartment nearby and they say they saw him lay down on the street and the police got him. My God, Lynn. I can take a lot, but this … I just want him home.”

“Where’s my phone? I think my purse is in the kitchen. We can be in Memphis in three hours. I’m not sitting around anymore.”

Roxy clapped her hands. “That’s my girl. There’s your phone. Looks like it’s blowing up.”

Lynn picked up cell on the desk, seeing multiple texts from Anne and Brian.

We’re heading to Memphis, Mom. We heard what happened. Please keep watching the news.

Don’t come, Nanna. It’s a circus. You can’t be here. Don’t let Roxy convince you otherwise.

“Why am I always made out to be the bad influence?” Roxy asked, reading over her shoulder.

Please be careful. Please keep me posted, Lynn texted back.

“Lynn, what in the world is going on?” Roxy said, following Lynn out of the study. “Is this maybe the time to call the Illuminati, see what they know?”