The screenshots first appeared on a local reporter’s social-media account. Within an hour, national networks displayed them beside Patricia’s hospital interview.

On one side of the screen, Patricia said, “Our family is extremely close.” On the other appeared her message: She lived. Stop making her our problem.

And on every one of those broadcasts, beside the message, they ran the photograph. It was in the thread; it had come with the screenshots. By noon it had been on four networks, and Lily Brennan was still asleep, and nobody had asked her anything.

By noon, reporters had identified Scott’s restaurant, recently reopened with money Daniel had lent him. Negative reviews flooded its pages. A corporate catering client canceled its contract.

News crews waited outside the entrance. Scott blamed Melissa.

“You destroyed me,” he shouted after they got home.