My dad told us he was a mid-level manager at a parts distributor

something serious.

That night, Mom’s already packed a suitcase when we get back.

“They came,” she says quietly. “Two men. Said they were from the Department of Energy. Showed me IDs. But they weren’t here for me.”

“They know,” I say. “About the notebook. About everything.”

Ellie and I explain what we found. Mom just listens, pale and stiff, like someone continue reading …