No One Can Know: A Novel

In the present day, Nathan, angry after the police’s visit, refuses to come to bed. The next morning, Emma finds toast on her bedside table. She takes it as a peace offering from Nathan, who is out buying cleaning supplies. She Googles news reports about her parents’ murders. One of the reports mentions that the police found footprints from size-10.5 Doc Martens on the scene, but never recovered the gun. Emma knows Gabriel’s shoe size is 10.5, but she is not sure whether he wore Doc Martens. She finds an unfamiliar woman who turns out to be JJ, now tattooed and boldly dressed, on her doorstep. JJ asks what Emma will tell the police about the night of the murders if they reopen the case, and Emma realizes JJ is hiding something. They argue about the past, and Emma suggests JJ abandoned her and Daphne. JJ tells Emma she was in no shape to take care of her sisters after she left home, using drugs and getting into dangerous situations. Nathan returns, and he and JJ discuss selling the house. JJ tells him they can sell it once they have Daphne’s signature and leaves. Nathan suggests that Emma call JJ for the keys to the carriage house, but she is reluctant.