“Still, I’m sorry to have mixed my emotions that day with so much wine. It’s never a good idea. But the news about Victoria’s remains, and your interest in her story, well . . . the memories just overwhelmed me. The idea that after all these years someone is willing to help me in this quest to prove my sister’s innocence, a quest that has felt futile for the last many years, just got to me. And the idea that Avery Mason might help shine light on such an injustice. . .”

“I should be the one apologizing,” Avery said. “I barged into your life and started asking questions about a very delicate subject. Like you said, mixing wine with emotions is never a good idea.”

“Except when it works.”

“Except then, yes,” Avery said with a chuckle.

“Let’s talk out back,” Emma said. “Coffee?”

“Sure, thanks. Two creams, two sugars.”

It was a beautiful, clear morning in the mountains and the birds were in full chorus as Avery and Emma sat on the patio.

“I’m going to do the best I can on this story about Victoria,” Avery said. “If you feel embarrassed about purging your emotions, I feel just as embarrassed about my alcohol-induced confidence that I could prove Victoria’s innocence. Now, reality is sinking in. I spoke with Walt Jenkins, the detective who ran the investigation.”

“Detective Jenkins. I remember him.”

“Yes. He’s moved on from the police force and is no longer a detective, but remembers the case well. He’s agreed to help me, and has worked his contacts at the New York State Police to gather all the information he can about the case. I’m meeting with him later today to go through it all.”

“That sounds promising.”

“It will at least provide unfettered access to the details about the investigation. But . . . Walt Jenkins may no longer be a detective, but he still thinks like one. He was steadfast in his opinion that the case against Victoria was strong. According to Jenkins, the circumstantial evidence was powerful. But the hard evidence was overwhelming.”

“I’m no detective, Avery. I’m a sixty-year-old retired elementary school teacher who’s starting to gray. Many would claim I’m still a grieving sibling whose views are clouded by unconditional love and loyalty. And maybe this many years later I should just move on. But there was something in Victoria’s voice when she left those messages on 9/11. A conviction that I’ll never be able to get past. So I don’t care about the evidence. I don’t care how strong a case Detective Jenkins claims he had. Something about the investigation is wrong, and I know Victoria is innocent. I need you to believe that.”