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Shelter directors have flown in from several states, nonprofit representatives fill the front rows, and Wolf Shield employees sit beside clients, investors, and reporters.

Several people who knew Celeste are here too, although nobody’s connection to her will be identified unless they choose to share it.

Mom arrived earlier with the girls. I find them in the green room.

Biddy sees me first and runs across the room. “Daddy!”

She wraps both arms around my leg and Babs follows carrying a folded piece of poster board.

“We made this for you,” Babs announces.

Mom gets up from the couch and looks toward the paper. “I explained that signs usually aren’t part of corporate events.”

Biddy peers up at me. “But you’re talking.”

“Apparently that changed the rules,” Mom adds.

Babs unfolds the sign.

GO DADDY

The letters cover most of the page in purple marker, surrounded by hearts, stars, and a green animal with four crooked legs.

I crouch beside them. “Who’s that?”

“A wolf,” Babs says.

Biddy leans closer. “It looks like Sprout.”

Babs frowns at her. “Sprout isn’t green.”

“Wolves aren’t green either.”

“They can be in pictures.”

I touch the edge of the drawing before the debate gains momentum. “I like him.”

Babs looks pleased. “You can keep it after.”

“I will.”

Biddy leans toward me and lowers her volume without actually whispering. “Are you gonna tell people about Mommy?”

I look at her. “A little.”

“Will they know she helped people?”

“Yeah.”

Her smile appears immediately. “That’s good.”

I kiss her forehead before standing.

The girls return to their markers as Mom comes over.

“You ready?”

“I’ve spoken at bigger events.”