Mrs. Engel felt as though someone had pressed bristles of needles into her skin. Her face turned pale, and she closed her eyes. "I know you're not going to trust me no matter what I say, Mr. Brighthall, but I have never hurt Mrs. Brighthall in my entire life. She… She's always been so kind to me…"

She faltered and turned to beg Deirdre instead. "Please, let me bid you farewell, at least?"

Brendan was about to reject her again, but Deirdre took a deep breath and said, "Okay."

"Dee?"

"I'll tal