Family of shadows

e garden of their grand family estate, her father's reassuring presence at the dinner table, the way Ronald Brown's

r date with Ronald-he was always so attentive, so careful with her, like he knew how fragile the world she lived

oticed a black SUV trailing her too closely. It didn't feel like coincidence. She pressed the accelerator, her heart picki

ing to steady her nerves. She knew this road well. The towering trees on either side blur

xactly who she was. She could feel it. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as

tine's breath caught in her throat as the window on the passenger side rolled down, revealing

estine," he said, hi

chest. "What the hell are

orward, eyes narrowing in a way that

, its barrel gleaming in the dim light. Before Celestine could process what was happening, the loud crack of

voice was calm, but there was something about the wa

to grasp what was happening. "What.

r wanted you to find out, but it's too late now. Too much has already happened." He mo

ng image of John on the grou