“The lock was on the outside of the door, at waist height,” I said.

Jaclyn turned her chin toward me, and the sweetness drained out of her voice like water down a sink.

“He was just throwing a tantrum, officer,” she said, turning back to the patrolman.

“I was only trying to teach him a routine.”

“May I come in?” Officer Vance asked.

“Of course,” Jaclyn said, backing into the kitchen.

“It’s just a little get-together for my birthday.

Nothing crazy.”