I couldn’t tell him. I couldn’t tell anyone.

“I need a favor, Ben.”

“Of course. What is it?”

“You said you had raw footage from seven years ago stored in your mother’s attic. All the film you took during the Ursulina hunt near Sunflower Lake, the parts that didn’t make it into the documentary. Is that true?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“I need to see it. Can you arrange that?”

Ben shrugged. “Sure, that isn’t a problem. When would you like to do it?”

“Now.”

“Now? You mean today?”

“Yes. This minute. I’d like to go over there right now. I’m sorry, but it’s urgent. Is that possible?”

He looked thoughtful as he drew out his words. “It is.”

“I know this is an imposition. You’re very busy. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

“Well, okay then, let’s go. I have an old projector in the attic, so it’s not hard to set up. My mother will keep you supplied with coffee and muffins, too, as long as you don’t mind banana-nut-cat-hair. You do realize, though, that we’re talking about hours of unedited film? If you’re looking for something specific, it may take a while to find. There’s no rhyme or reason to it, no order, no dates, no labels.”

“I understand.”

He sucked on his pipe again. “You’re being very mysterious.”

“Yes, I know. I’m sorry.”

“Are you sure you can’t tell me what’s wrong? You may not believe it, but I can be discreet when necessary. I also have a weakness for pretty young women in trouble. Can I help you?”

My face was dark. “No one can help me.”

For a moment, my remark left him speechless. “Well, give me five minutes to change, and then we’ll be on our way.”

“Thank you, Ben.”

While he changed, I took you down to the lakeshore. I watched the morning glow on the water and listened to the honking of the geese. My breath made little puffs of steam. I held you close to me and kissed your head and your pink cheeks and murmured over and over how much I loved you. I didn’t even realize it until I wiped my face, but I was crying.

Ben was true to his word. Five minutes later, he opened the door with a flourish, dressed in a white turtleneck and plaid sport coat, with pleated tan slacks and penny loafers. He marched across the grass to the resort parking lot and hopped inside the yellow Cadillac. You and I followed him in my car. We drove all the way across Black Wolf County to one of the other small towns tucked among the trees. He parked outside a century-old Victorian house, neatly painted in red and white.