His fractured words confirmed the worst of it. This wasn’t an argument that escalated. It was a siege.

I squeezed his hand and kissed his forehead. My mind was already on the battlefield. I had more than enough probable cause for a criminal investigation — but I needed to see what was in that house before Rodney or Priscilla realized the trap was closing and destroyed what was left.

I posted two uniformed officers at the hospital door and drove for the suburbs. But as I slid my father’s key into his front door and pushed it open, a shadow detached itself from the gloom of the hallway and stepped into my path.

Chapter 3: The Paper Trail

“What the hell are you doing in this house?”

Rodney stood at the end of the corridor, his face tight with irritation and creeping panic. Same clothes as the precinct. He hadn’t expected me to bypass the hospital and come straight for the crime scene.

“This is Dad’s property.” I kept my voice cold and professional, which masked the disgust. “I have his key and his authorization as a federal officer to secure this location.