Then I gave the recording back and asked Celeste to proceed.

PART 15

Winter advanced.

The river froze along the edges, the sky stayed gray, and my world shrank from a tower filled with executives to courtrooms, attorney offices and the small kitchen in Paige’s apartment.

Dominic was charged in connection with financial crimes uncovered during the review.

Separately, investigators continued examining the assault allegations related to Hannah.

Eric’s attorney disputed parts of the police account.

I learned not to treat an accusation as a verdict, even when I desperately wanted one.