FOR CLAIRE—PLAY ONLY WHEN BOTH MEN ARE PRESENT.
I stared at Daniel and Thomas.
Carl had anticipated this moment.
Daniel switched on the recorder.
Static filled the cabin.
Then Carl’s voice emerged.
“Claire, if you are hearing this, Daniel and Thomas are probably accusing each other. They have been doing that since before you were born.”
Despite everything, a tearful laugh escaped me.
On the recording, Carl coughed, then continued.
“Neither man destroyed our family.”
Both Daniel and Thomas visibly relaxed.
“The person who attended our ceremony was not invited. Look at the photograph taken by the camera above the fireplace. Enlarge the reflection in the window.”
Daniel searched the chest and found a tablet wrapped in cloth.
There was one photograph on it.
Our wedding.
Carl sat in his armchair, smiling up at me. Father Thomas stood beside us. Daniel waited near the door.
Behind them, the dark living-room window reflected part of the street outside.
