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Distance grew in Lupe’s gaze until her mind seemed miles away. “Do you believe in an afterlife? Heaven, paradise, reincarnation?”
“I try not to think about it.”
“The people we love…” Lupe’s eyes narrowed. “We never say what we should. We hold back until it’s too late. I don’t know if there’s life after death. If there is, I hope Henry knows I… We were fighting. Our last words exchanged were in anger.”
“Coming from a place of love, you were worried about him.” And with good reason, it turned out. “Grandpapa was smart. Observant. Whatever you said at the end, he knew what was important. He knew how you really felt.”
Lupe slid up the couch to take both of her hands. “He didn’t always know how to express himself, not when it came to his feelings. Men can be…”
“Infuriating?”
Lupe laughed. “Yes. They can. Your grandfather was proud of you.” That was—oh, uh, unexpected. “He didn’t always understand you. Your father didn’t either. But Henry, he wished you were closer. Interpreting him took time, but…”
“You became fluent.”
“As you must be with Ire McDade.”
She snickered. “I’m getting there… I think.”
“Has he supported you?”
“I’d be lost without him.”
“Value him. Each other, because you never know how long you have. Tell the people you love how you feel. Your grandfather would want you to know…”
“Want me to know…?”
“The chest in his office, you should look inside.”
Sounded ominous. “What will I find?”
“Just look inside.”
Hmm. “I’m learning so much about him. I can’t believe how self-centered we all were. We took time for granted; we should’ve taken more of it for each other. I wish I’d known about your relationship while he was alive. You worked for him for ten years?”
“Twelve.”
“And how long were you…?”
Lupe took her hands back. “Seven.”
“Years?” That was… wow. “But you kept this place? Why didn’t you permanently move in with him?”
“We didn’t want people to know.”
“Was that why you used the secret entrance?” Pushing too hard could break their rapport. Easy, slow steps. Calm, soothing. “Is there a chance anyone else had a copy of the key?”
“No,” Lupe said quickly, clutching her own wrist. “I didn’t sleep after… I desperately tried to think of anyone, of any chance… The key, the only key that exists, it’s been in my sole possession for… years.”
Didn’t rule out someone making a copy. They’d have needed to know about the relationship, the key keeper, and had to steal it and return it without Lupe noticing.
The lock may have been picked. If the person was a professional, they would know not to leave evidence.
“Who knew about it? That the tunnel existed?” She hadn’t. “Is it on the building plans or any public archive?”
“I don’t know. I told no one. Henry and I—I would never—”
The tears in her eyes brimmed in a flash.
