HIS NEIGHBOR WOULDN’T STOP REPORTING THE SOUND OF A GIRL CRYING INSIDE HIS HOUSE—THEN HE HID BENEATH HIS DAUGHTER’S BED AND HEARD HER PLEAD FOR SOMEONE TO SPARE HER

“I know.”

“I said it because it’s true.”

“I know that too.”

She leaned against the truck beside him. “You did come back.”

His eyes filled. “Almost too late.”

“But not too late.”