Chapter 325

The guest room was dark except for the strip of light under the door.

Vera had been in the same position for two hours. On her back. Eyes open. Hands flat on the duvet. The controlled stillness of someone managing the act of being still rather than naturally being it.

Her fingers drifted to the edge of the pillow.

The photograph was underneath, where she always kept it. She did not take it out. Sh