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Prologue

May 2010

Thayer

“Where … are … they?” My lungs burn after sprinting frorandfather’s house where I stormed into his study, a man on a mission

“Thayer” He rises fro-ears his Architectural Digest azine and rests it on a coffee table “What a pleasant surprise Wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow Come on in Have a seat”

He waves me over, but I remain planted I won’t rest, I won’t make myself at home until I knohy the Hilliards are nowhere to be found

The boat dropped o, and as I made my way to the main house, I couldn’t help but notice froe looked … off And then I realized there were no flowers Junie always plants flowers at the end of April, and it’s theout of the old flower beds Ed never would’ve allowed that to happen Curious—and concerned—I e, only to find the front door unlocked and the place looking different from the last time I was there

I made my way from room to room, and it only took me a minute to realize all the faone In their place were the faces of sers I went to the main bedroom next, only to find the closet half-filled o a man would wear When I went to Lila’s old room next, I found it stripped to the bones Not a picture Not a book Not a single article of clothing on the dresser

The Hilliards were gone

I left their cottage and sprinted to the abandoned cottage I know Lila—she wouldn’t have left without an explanation I was positive I’d find a note so for it only to come up empty handed—except for the notes I’d written and hidden for her before I left

She didn’t find a single one, never had a chance to read them

Granddad rises fro down “I’m not sure why that’s any of your business” And then he chuckles “Or why you’re so visibly upset” Walking toward me, he places a hand on my shoulder “Let’s head to the kitchen I’ll have Bernice prepare a snack for you I’ry after your travels”

“Bernice?”

He ushers me out of his study “The new help”