“The local sheriff has no authority where we’re headed,” Richard said.

Emily looked over at him, her pale blue eyes wide and cloudy with exhaustion.

“He was searching the house before you got there,” she said, her voice trailing off.

“He was looking for his old file boxes…”

“We’ll talk about his files later,” Richard said gently.

“Right now your only job is to keep breathing.”

“He said he’d ruin you, Dad,” she whispered, her fingers pulling frantically at her sleeves.

“He said if I ever talked to anybody, he’d make sure…”