<strong>PART 4: THE PEOPLE AT THE GATE</strong>

For a moment everyone spoke at once.

Loretta announced that there had been a misunderstanding.

Delia began saying I had been behaving strangely for days.

Garrett walked down the steps with both hands held out, wearing an expression of injured patience.

“My wife has been having a difficult pregnancy,” he began.

“We’re trying to help her settle down.”

A deputy cut him off.