“I’m leaving on the twenty-fifth. He and I will do Christmas on Boxing Day.” His face became serious. “James only met your mother once, but he was enchanted. I’m so sorry. She was a lovely woman, Kate.”

“Thank you.” Tears sprang to her eyes.

“How is the investigation going?”

She felt the fear rise up in her as everything that had happened in the past few days ran through her mind. The police still didn’t want her to tell anyone else about the messages and texts. She focused on keeping her voice even. “There’s not much progress, I’m afraid. Everything seems to lead to a dead end.”

Palmer shook his head in sympathy as the first course was being cleared.

Georgina’s voice rang out. “Delicious salmon rillettes, Selby. Your cook has done a nice job.” She looked her stiffly impeccable self in her cream-colored silk suit, not a blond hair out of place. She wore her customary three-strand pearl necklace, the same one she’d worn forever. She’d moved her engagement and wedding rings to her right hand; her left, the veins on it slightly raised, a few age spots beginning to appear, was bare.

“But, dear,” Georgina said, fingering the holly on the centerpiece in front of her, “your greens look a bit tired. How long ago did you have them cut?”

Kate watched Selby deflate, the same way she had as a little girl when Georgina shamed her. She watched as Georgina took a delicate sip of wine, replaced her glass, and turned to face Harrison, who was sitting next to her. She leaned closer, until her lips were practically touching his ear, and whispered something. Harrison nodded as she spoke, his eyes cast down at the table.

Kate stared at them, frowning, and then leaned back in her chair as a server placed a steaming dish before her.

“All right,” Selby said. “This is in homage to my brother and his unaccountable love of British cuisine. Roast lamb, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, roasted potatoes, and cheese cauliflower. Bon appetit, everyone.”

A few moments of silence passed as everyone ate. “Perfect, Sis,” Palmer said between bites. “James will be devastated he missed it.”

“You know,” Georgina said, putting her fork down and turning to Harrison, “this reminds me of the time the four of us went to England and France together. You and Lily and Bishop and I. Remember?”

“I do,” Harrison said. “That was a great trip.”