“We’ve got a deadbolt.

Any locksmith will tell you plenty of parents lock in a child who wanders at night.

Being a bad parent isn’t a crime.

Hurting a child is, and I have to prove that before anybody opens that door.”

I sat down on the step.

The cold concrete came straight through my slacks.

“Paul Vance told me that if a call ever came in from that address, his crew would take her to St.

Jude no matter what Julian said at the door.”