Mark didn’t slow down until he reached the middle of the yard, skidding to a heavy stop six feet from Carl’s truck.

The V-8 engine kept running, idling hot and loud while the radiator fan whined in the midday heat.

Through the glass, Ruth sat upright in the front passenger seat with her palm pressed flat against her leather handbag.

Evelyn sat in the back corner, chin lowered, twirling her silver car key lanyard around her index finger without looking out the window.

The driver’s door opened hard and swung on its hinges.