The trio froze, and a bewildered Delilah stood from the table, dusting herself off and wondering aloud who could possibly be calling at this hour. She walked to the front door and opened it. “Excuse me, we are in the middle of a family dinner. Now is not a good time.”

Ophelia couldn’t see the person, or people, standing outside the door but she heard one respond to her mother in a voice that sent chills down her spine. “I am dreadfully sorry, ma’am. We only need a ...