Page 193 of Taken Away

A few laughs rippled through the room, the tension easing enough for people to breathe again.

Savannah disappeared behind the bar.

Chloe found something that suddenly needed to be folded.

Lockwood excused himself.

Walter never took his eyes off Anne.

Aubrey noticed.

In one silent embrace, she'd learned more about the last thirty years than anyone had ever told her.

FORTY-ONE

Blackwood Estate

The Victorian

The front door swung open, and Anne stopped cold.

The house looked exactly the same.

The wide staircase still curved beneath the crystal chandelier. The grandfather clock stood guard in the corner. The antique table beneath the front window sat exactly where it always had.

It even smelled the same.

Old wood. Furniture polish. Fresh flowers.

Home.

Anne swallowed hard and hated herself for it.

"Well."

Aubrey turned toward her.

Anne slowly turned in a circle.

"The old witch didn't change a thing."

Her gaze landed on a brass lamp in the corner.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Actually, she moved that lamp."

Bennett followed her gaze.

"Did she?"

"She did."

"How can you tell?"

"Because I hated it in 1988 and I still hate it."

Bennett glanced back at the lamp.