Chapter 5

I enlarged the photograph Celeste had sent.

A corner of the leather backing was missing, and a thin scratch ran down the right side. My mother had made that mark when the clock struck the fireplace during a move.

There was no mistake.

Daniel had taken Mom’s clock from my home, given it to Celeste, and allowed her to set the hands to ten o’clock.

I called him.

“Return the clock.”

He lowered his voice. “It’ll only be at the morning ceremony for a few hours. I’ll have it sent back afterward.”

“What gave you the right to take it?”