Her early admission application to the state university is pending, and if some ridiculous police report gets attached to her record, her whole future is ruined.”

“Toby is in surgery right now,” I said, keeping my voice measured and low.

“He fell,” Brenda snapped, cutting me off before I could finish.

“Kids break bones every day.

You’re turning an ordinary accident into a public spectacle because you’ve always had a petty grudge against this family.”

Beatrice fluttered her handkerchief, glancing nervously at the hallway doors as if she expected a news crew.

“Valerie, please think about how this looks.