Emma
Dominic crouched to their level, his expression softening as it always did with the twins. "How would you two like to help us solve a very important mystery?"
Their reactions were instantaneous—Lottie gasped dramatically while Noah straightened, suddenly alert.
"A real mystery?" Lottie whispered, eyes wide. "With clues and everything?"
"I've read fourteen books on detective methodology," Noah offered earnestly. "I understand the importance of systematic evidence collection and logical deduction."
"This mystery involves some special stories your great-grandfather used to tell me when I was little," I explained, struck by the parallels between generations—Charles using bedtime stories to plant clues for me, and now me sharing those same stories with these children.
"Like the ones
