Thomas went perfectly still.

His right hand stayed clamped over his watch strap.

“There’s no line upstairs,” Thomas said again, his voice dropping half an octave lower than before.

“I’m looking right at the wire, Mr.

Miller,” María said.

She stepped around his left side and set her foot on the first step of the wooden staircase.

Emily watched the officer’s black boot land on the runner.

Hugging her stuffed rabbit to her chest, the little girl came one small step down the wooden stairs.