It wasn’t enough for an arrest. It was enough to keep my daughters with me while the investigation widened.

For the first time in years I woke up somewhere that didn’t smell like bleach and detergent. Peace felt unfamiliar. I kept cleaning before sunrise out of habit, and one morning Richard walked into the kitchen at five and found me mopping.

He took the mop out of my hands. “You don’t work here.”

“I don’t want to be a burden.”

He looked straight at me. “A burden is something people tolerate. You and your girls are family.” His voice cracked on the last word.

Evelyn explained it to me later that afternoon.