Emmett nodded solemnly, “Mama, I’ll wait for you to uncover the truth.”

He hadn’t shared any of this with Opal or Cade. Opal was too impulsive, and Cade too naive—neither could be trusted to keep such an important secret.

“Thank you, Emmett. I’ll get to the bottom of this as soon as I can,” Emily said while hugging him tightly.

After breakfast, she dropped the three children off at kindergarten and headed to work. Soon after, her assistant Coco rushed in. ...