PART 3

The next morning, Madeline’s card was still on the porch rail.

I called her.

“Is the invitation still open?”

“For tea?”

“For whatever comes after it.”

Penelope welcomed me inside, where Teresa’s gown hung in a clear garment bag.

Madeline apologized again, but I told her what I had learned.

“Teresa escaped the car,” I said. “Then she went back to save her friend.”

Madeline’s eyes filled.

“So she wasn’t helpless.”