I was watching the local news when the anchor’s face went grave: allegations of an administrative cover-up of a suspected child-abuse report at Marbrook Elementary, an emergency state inquiry underway.

My phone lit up and did not stop.

And then the district hit back.

Chapter 22 — The Podium

At one o’clock they held a press conference.

Yardley at the podium, Halcombe at his shoulder, both grave for the cameras.