Detective Miller stepped out into the light drizzle, pulled his raincoat down over his belt, and pressed his palm flat against the call button.

No voice answered through the small metal speaker, but ten seconds later an electronic lock clicked inside the gate housing.

The heavy iron front gate swung open, and the three dark police cars rolled onto the gravel drive.

Attorney Pendelton took the grand staircase two steps at a time despite his silver hair and seventy years, with Detective Miller right behind him.

I carried Theodore up the carpeted steps, holding his small body against my chest as two uniformed officers moved past us with quick, silent steps.