We introduced ourselves. The man smiled when he found out Abby’s identity. “Granddaughter? Ah, I love to see grandchildren caring for their grandparents. This is nice of you to visit Dr. Caldwell’s house. I’m sure you have many memories here.”

“I wish I did,” Abby answered. “I’ve lived in Papua New Guinea all my life. This is my first visit to the States. I just wanted to see where they lived.”

The man stepped around the wheelbarrow. “I never knew your grandmother. She died in the accident about a year before I met Dr. Caldwell. But your grandfather, he was a fine man. A very fine man. He’d invite me to sit with him on his back porch and have tea. A very smart man.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Do you know that he believed in God?”

Abby smiled. “Yes, I do. I believe in God as well.”

The man’s face brightened. “Really? Oh, you’d have loved knowing him all the more. He never convinced me. But I admired him for believing.” He lowered his voice again. “They say Christians were all bigots, but not your grandfather. He was the kindest, gentlest man.” He glanced up at the house. “Have you come to collect a few things? I don’t know that anyone other than you has come. It’s a mystery to—”

“We just came by to look,” I interrupted. “We don’t have access to Ray’s place.”

“You don’t?” The man glanced up and down the empty street. “Well, I do. I’d be glad to let you two inside, take a look around. I’m sure Dr. Caldwell would like nothing more than for you, young lady, to see his place.” He looked up and down the street again. “Let’s go around back.” He led us through a side gate into the backyard and placed his eye over the retinal scan by the back door. It unlocked.

“It may be a little stale in here. I don’t know why they don’t do something with this place.” He stepped inside. “Who’s responsible for it, anyway? They aren’t doing much of a job.” He looked at me.

“A work associate of his,” I answered.

“I don’t think anyone’s been in here since Dr. Caldwell died…except me. No, I take that back. Someone must have cleaned out the refrigerator. I water the plants and dust a bit. The place was immaculate the first time I came in after hearing the news. Dr. Caldwell always kept it that way.”

Abby was already making her way around the living room, taking in her grandfather’s possessions. A fireplace mantel held framed photos. She picked them up one by one and looked at them carefully. I walked over to her.