Page 218

Of course she is.

“Put her on.”

A moment later, Hayley speaks.

“What’s happening?”

“They haven’t started the fire.”

“Why?”

“They’re recording it.”

She understands immediately.

“They want Sage to see.”

“Yes.”

“I won’t let her.”

“She’ll ask why every device in the house stopped working.”

“I’ll tell her.”

“What?”

“The truth.”

I close my eyes.

“Hayley.”

“She has spent two years wondering whether Greg would find her again. She has lived without knowing who she could trust. We aren’t going to start hiding things from her now.”

“She doesn’t need to watch someone burn Addy’s letters.”

“I didn’t say she would watch it.”

“Keep her away from the screens.”

“I will.”

The line becomes quiet.

“Sean?”

“What?”

“Bring them home.”

The letters.

Not the house.

Not our equipment.

The only things that matter.