For a long moment, the whole street seemed to hold its breath.
The maple trees along the lane swayed in the afternoon breeze. A sprinkler clicked rhythmically across the Wilsons’ lawn next door. Somewhere, a dog barked once and fell quiet.
But on our porch, no one moved.
Daniel’s arm was still caught in the security officer’s firm grip. Vanessa stood behind him, one hand hovering near the pearl earrings she had no right to wear. Lily clutched the strap of her backpack so tightly her knuckles had gone white. Noah’s small hand remained tucked inside mine.
And in my other hand, Aunt Margaret’s photograph trembled.
Ask Daniel what he sold before he sold you.
The words seemed to burn through the paper.
I looked at Daniel.
“What did she mean?”
His mouth opened, but no answer came.
That frightened me more than his anger had.
