He said he was concerned about the children and that Mara sometimes interpreted concern as control.

His attorney ended the interview soon afterward.

We respected that decision.

Frank marked the time, and I preserved the recording in full rather than selecting only the exchanges that sounded most troubling.

Outside, I stood beside the cruiser with the folder under my arm.

“That was less decisive than I hoped,” I said.

“What did you hope?”

“That he’d finally answer something plainly.”