I needed to see the place without wondering whether the people inside could still reach my daughter.

News crews were gathered at a distance.

The reporter I knew stayed outside the police boundary and did not ask me to perform grief for the camera.

When Julian was brought out, I recognized his coat before I recognized his face.

He had worn it to dinner at my house once.

Hannah had brushed flour off its sleeve while he laughed about having married someone who still baked from scratch.

I had liked him that evening.