About this story
At a smoke-poor mountain cabin, dying Nancy Grewell dictates a deposition thirteen years overdue: a masked birth, a stolen infant, a shipwreck, and a girl named Capitola, left in New York with a crimson birthmark on her palm. Dawn breaks as the witness finishes, an address in Rag Alley the last thing written down.
How it opens
Hurricane Hall faced an October storm behind red stone and the roar of Devil's Run.
WoolEveryone has gone to the quarters except Mrs. Condiment, the coachman, and me.
You considered fire, punch, and a warmed bed sufficient answers to weather outside.
WoolThe hall bell disagrees, Major, and the person has begun knocking as well.
WoolReverend Goodwin says he must speak to you alone on a matter of life and death.
Choose
Bring him here; life and death may climb the stairs.
Offer him food and a room, but tell him I have retired.