The rain fell in heavy sheets as Harry drove the old pickup truck along the narrow road, wipers struggling against the downpour. The cab smelled faintly of wet earth and coffee from the thermos between them. Evening shadows pressed against the windows, turning the world outside into blurred streaks of gray and green.

Beside him, Sarah sat rigidly, her arms crossed over her chest, her face pale. She tried to hide the flush on her cheeks, but Harry could see the way her breaths came shallow, the ...