CHAPTER 13: The Den Safe Under the Family Portrait

They entered the house only after the detective arrived.
Maya stepped over the threshold last. That was her choice. She wanted Vivian to understand that no one was inviting her back into her own life. She was entering it because Aaron had refused to let it be stolen.
The foyer smelled of lemon polish and lilies. Vivian had already replaced the funeral flowers with fresh ones, as if a house could be encouraged to forget.
In the den, Aaron's leather chair faced the window. His reading glasses sat on the desk. The ordinary cruelty of objects nearly broke Maya more than the driveway had.
Behind the family portrait was a wall safe Vivian claimed not to know about.
Lucas looked at it with recognition and then looked away.
Bennett arrived thirty minutes later with court papers in a raincoat pocket and the safe code written in Aaron's hand.
Inside were company ledgers, a second flash drive, and a sealed letter addressed to Maya.
The detective took custody of the ledgers. Bennett took copies. Maya took the letter and held it against her chest without opening it.
She had heard Aaron's voice once tonight. She was not ready to lose it again.