The Summers estate looked the same as it had a year ago.
Pale stone facade weathered soft by time. Tall windows with dark frames. The broad porch shaded by the two oak trees that had grown taller than the roofline. Gravel crunched under the tires as Franz pulled the car to a stop near the iron gate. The hedges had been trimmed recently. The stone path was swept clean. Someone had maintained the property. Not lived in it.
"Remember the rules," Arianne said, turning to the twins in the back seat. "You stay in the living room with Aunt Estella. Don't touch anything breakable. Don't wander off."
"We know the rules," Lily said. "We've been here before."
"I'm reminding you."
Leo typed on his tablet: WE WILL BE CAREFUL.
Arianne nodded and opened her door. The air outside was cooler beneath the canopy of aging maples that lined the drive. Gio moved ahead and pushed open the iron gate with a soft metallic sound.
