“This isn’t about proving your husband cheated, or that your half-sister is cruel,” she said. “It’s about proving to a judge that Casey isn’t safe in that house.”

She asked Corinne to reconstruct the last eight months. Who had visited Ross. Who was actually caring for the girl. Which neighbor might have noticed things changing.

Corinne thought immediately of Mrs. Odom, the seventy-two-year-old retiree next door.

Mrs. Odom opened her door before Corinne could ring the bell.

“I knew you’d come looking for answers eventually,” she said, waving her in.

She produced a small notebook filled with dates, license plates, and arguments she’d overheard.