Maggie pulled out her phone. “Half past four.” She glanced up at the big brick house. It was old and elegant, but the long windows gave the facade a disapproving aspect, maybe because of the time of day. The glass panes caught the setting sun and glinted redly, like angry eyes. “I’d better do this on my own.”

“Yeah, I think you should, too. Jane might not appreciate an audience.” Linnie poked Caleb in the shoulder. “Want to take Fluffster to the park we passed?”

The dog obviously recognized the word park. He leaned toward Caleb, tail wagging like crazy.

“Let’s wait until we find out if anyone’s home.” He patted his panting dog away from his face. “Looks empty, doesn’t it?”

Maggie nodded and chewed on the corner of her lower lip. She hadn’t called beforehand—had felt as if it was better to handle this kind of situation in person. She pushed open the door. “I’ll ring the bell. If someone lets me in, you guys can feel free to take off.”

“You’ve got my number,” Caleb said. “Just call or text when you’re done.”

“Thanks.” Maggie got out and made her way up the paved path.

She rang the doorbell. She’d heard it chime inside, so she knew it worked, but she went ahead and knocked as well. No one answered. She waited. And waited. After a few minutes, she gave up.

Caleb peered at her ruefully when she slipped back into the car. “No one home?”

Maggie shook her head.

Linnie, eyes fastened on the upper story of the house, said, “Someone’s there.” While Maggie turned and Caleb leaned sideways to follow her gaze, Linnie added, “Just no one interested in seeing us.”

A pale curtain, barely visible in the glinting window, twitched and fell.

“Should I knock again?” Maggie asked.

Still eyeing the window, Linnie said, “Whoever’s in there knows you’re here. If she wanted to see you, she’d open the door.”

“Let’s try tomorrow,” Caleb said. “Maybe she’s sick or something.”

“Hmm.” Linnie continued to stare up at the house. A strange expression crossed her face, something like skepticism or defeat, but whatever she was thinking, she kept it to herself.

“Maggie!” Dad swept her, along with her duffel bag and half-full Starbucks cup, into a bear hug. “Oh, my goodness, how did you get—wait.” He scanned her face. “You okay? It’s not your aunt, is it? Don’t tell me you had it out with her, too. Poor Minnie’s been a wreck. She won’t say what the ruckus is over.”