“He wants to stop David from using your good credit to pay off his old company.”

“My home is gone,” I said.

“All my maternity clothes and the baby blanket are sitting back there in black trash bags.”

“That suburban house was bought with stolen money and forged signatures,” Sarah said gently, taking my hand.

“You’re out of that hallway now, Clara.

You and the baby are safe in this room tonight.”

I looked down at my hands in my lap.

Fine white flour was still caught in the little creases around my fingernails and across my knuckles.