Spying on the Pattersons? The concept wasn't lost on me. After all, I'd wanted to do so myself. But why did Dad feel it was necessary all those years ago, enough he put an innocent young woman's life in danger?

Because he had, it was clear from the look on his face. He blamed himself for her disappearance. No, my father hadn't actually harmed her, but he might as well have, as far as he was concerned, as far as Malcolm was. And I now I had my answer as to why he never ...