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

Veronica moved closer.

Thomas’s muscles locked.

“I didn’t send anybody anything,” Veronica replied coldly. “You should be careful accusing people.”

“You gave Madison my phone.”

“She asked to borrow it.”