Dexter's smile was all mouth, below a hard gaze. "Our desire for justice, Mother Dear. We want you to spend time with us. Just you, and the two of us."

I glanced at Dad. He maintained a blank expression, and said nothing. I wondered if he and Mom had already discussed how they'd go about this. He could easily have pointed out that Dexter and Mindy had chosen to leave home, and separate themselves from Mom.

"What do you have in mind?" Mom asked.

"You'll join us on a cruise to the islands," said Mindy imperiously. "Three weeks." She worked at being as hard-edged as Dexter, but she is still...