We need to make them do their jobs.”

Noah studied my face.

“Could we do that without everybody taking pictures of Autumn?”

“Yes,” I said.

“We can start by asking her what she wants.”

At the station, Officer Morgan brought out the guitar in its black case.

She had placed a clean paper tag over the handle, and Reynolds reviewed the release paperwork carefully.

Walter, the instrument buyer, had agreed to undo the sale after speaking to the officers and reviewing the family’s ownership information.