“He was afraid of her father,” Evelyn said.

Douglas had been intimidating Brandon with his loud, blustering act since September.

“Get some rest,” I said.

“Brenda is coming in a few hours.”

Evelyn closed her tired eyes, but her breathing stayed shallow and fast.

I sat on the edge of the mattress until the digital clock turned to four.

At six o’clock, tires crunched heavily on the gravel driveway.

Brenda Lawson walked into my study followed by two junior associates in dark suits.